With a 35-10 rout of the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens closed out the regular season at 12-5 and secured their second straight division title. The win caps a four-game streak to end the season and locks Baltimore into the AFC’s No. 3 playoff seed, guaranteeing a home game in the Wild Card round against either the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers.
Back-to-back 👑 pic.twitter.com/F63v2H7W2R
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2025
Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes to finish off a record-breaking regular season, while Derrick Henry rushed for two scores, including a 43-yard exclamation point. The Ravens’ defense dominated, allowing just 230 total yards and scoring on a pick-six by rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins to set the tone early. However, the health of Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers looms as a key storyline after he left in the second quarter with a knee injury.
The Browns (3-14) were overmatched throughout, turning to quarterbacks Bailey Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson with little success. Cleveland’s offense mustered just one touchdown, while its defense—despite a strong season—couldn’t contain Baltimore’s multifaceted attack.
The Ravens are kings of the AFC North and have secured the 3rd seed
Lamar Jackson continued his MVP-caliber season, completing 16-of-32 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson also finished the year with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns against just four interceptions, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for over 800 yards in a season. His 915 rushing yards added another layer to his historic performance, further cementing his case as one of the league’s most dynamic talents.
Derrick Henry, celebrating his 31st birthday, added 138 yards on 20 carries, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns. His second score—a 43-yard sprint—pushed his season total to 1,921 rushing yards and a Ravens franchise-record 16 rushing touchdowns. Baltimore’s offensive line, anchored by Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, controlled the line of scrimmage, paving the way for the Ravens’ 437 total yards.
While the offense shined, Baltimore’s defense was relentless. Wiggins’ pick-six gave the Ravens an early 7-0 lead, and the unit forced two turnovers while limiting Cleveland to just 183 passing yards. Defensive end Odafe Oweh recorded his 10th sack of the season, joining teammate Kyle Van Noy in the "double-digit sack club" and providing a spark for a defense that has been dominant during the team’s four-game winning streak.
The only concern from the game came in the second quarter when Zay Flowers left with a knee injury after making a 12-yard reception. The Pro Bowl receiver, who became the first wideout in Ravens history to earn that honor, has been critical to Baltimore’s offensive success this season. Head coach John Harbaugh said postgame that the team would evaluate Flowers further in the coming days.
With the No. 3 seed secured, the Ravens are poised for a deep postseason run. Their playoff path begins next week at M&T Bank Stadium, where they’ve gone 6-2 this season. Potential matchups include a showdown with the Chargers—whom Baltimore beat earlier this year—or a third meeting with the Steelers, one of the league’s fiercest rivalries.
From Jackson’s brilliance to Henry’s dominance and a formidable defense, Baltimore has a team positioned as a true Super Bowl contender. Despite facing adversity and a midseason slump, the Ravens’ four-game winning streak leading into the playoffs highlights their focus and readiness for the challenges ahead.
Baltimore isn’t just aiming for the AFC North crown—it’s a Lombardi Trophy or bust.