The Baltimore Ravens have had some great moments against the Cleveland Browns. The two biggest of them, Ed Reed’s pick six in 2004 and Jamal Lewis’s 295 yards in 2003.
The 2018 season comes down to a battle against the Cleveland Browns for the Baltimore Ravens. If the Ravens win, they will be crowned the AFC North division champions. This is the most important battle between the Browns and Ravens in recent memory. It seemed like a good time to look back at the greatest moments the Ravens have had against the Browns.
In the second week of the 2003 season the Ravens saw their running back, Jamal Lewis, have one of the greatest days of all time. Jamal Lewis had 295 yards against the Cleveland Browns and he went the distance on the first play of the game. The next year Ed Reed returned an interception in the waning moments against the Browns, for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The question for you today, is what was the better moment? For Lewis, it was a completely different experience. On the first play of the game, Lewis had an 82 yard touchdown. The Ravens won the game 33-13 and Lewis had a huge day on 30 carries. Lewis battered and dominated the Browns. Ed Reed stole the Browns’ chance to win the game in the fourth quarter.
The Browns were driving down the field late in a close game. Ed Reed picked off a pass six yards in the end zone and emerged running down the sideline for the touchdown. Instead of 20-20 it was 27-13. While Lewis had a great day, Reed had one game defining play in a prime time game. Reed earns a point for having the more dramatic moment.
Lewis’s big day was huge for the 2003 Ravens. Baltimore was 0-1 heading into the game. The purple and black won the AFC North behind Lewis’s 2,066 yard season. Lewis played at a MVP worthy level that season, though he didn’t win the award. The Ravens 2004 victory over the Browns was thrilling, but it came in a year where Baltimore didn’t make the postseason. Still Ed Reed had nine interceptions in 2004 and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The choice is ultimately up to you, Ravens Flock. There is a strong argument for both moments. I was actually at both games, and they are signature Ravens memories for me. In the end, I have to give it to Ed Reed because he saved the day in a tough fight with the Browns.