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Baltimore Ravens smash the Browns, inch closer to the playoffs

By Chris Schisler

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns and head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens shake hands after the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens won 27-10. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns and head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens shake hands after the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens won 27-10. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns. While the Browns made it interesting, they ended up with their 14th loss and the Ravens inched closer to the playoffs:

The Baltimore Ravens won the game against the Cleveland Browns in convincing fashion. The Ravens are now 8-6 and the playoffs are a very realistic goal. The Browns are now 0-14. The big story of this game was the turnovers that gave the purple and black separation in this game. DeShone Kizer threw two interceptions and had a fumble that resulted in a Ravens touchdown. Kizer accounted for three of the Browns four turnovers.

The Ravens won the game 27-10. It wasn’t always pretty. The Ravens had a fourth and goal attempt where they got stuffed. The Browns marched down the field and took the momentum of the game with a touchdown. However the game wasn’t in question. The Ravens responded and got the job done.

Quick notes on the win:

This was one of the best performances for Joe Flacco. Flacco threw the ball 42 times and the Ravens won comfortably. For much of the season the Ravens couldn’t do well when the offense focused more on passing than pounding the rock. In this divisional battle Flacco put up 282 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t a flawless performance. There were some missed throws (including a late toss to Mike Wallace that could have been a touchdown) however Flacco did more than enough to win this game.

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It looked like Alex Collins was ready to take over the game when he was a focal point of the opening drive. Collins seemed to be banged up during the game but all reports say that there was no major injury. Buck Allen got most of the carries.

That is certainly something to keep an eye on as the Ravens get ready to host the Indianapolis Colts. When the Ravens play football on Saturday the game will be very meaningful to the playoffs.

The Ravens outside linebackers looked exceptional in this game. Matt Judon recorded his seventh sack of the 2017 season and Za’Darius Smith forced the fumble that Brandon Williams recovered for the score. Brandon Carr had a bounce back game at the cornerback position and Marlon Humphrey continued to shine. When Josh Gordon only has 47 yards against you, it’s an accomplishment.

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The Bottom Line:

This was a great victory for the purple and black. They won a game they were supposed to win and got one win closer to the postseason.

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