Browns avoid disastrous collapse vs. Ravens

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Browns keep AFC North hopes alive by avoiding disastrous collapse vs. Ravens

By Adam Stites | Last updated 12/12/21

The Baltimore Ravens scored 19 unanswered points without quarterback Lamar Jackson, but came up just short in a 24-22 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley threw a short touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews with just over a minute left in the game to cut the Browns' lead to just two. Then Baltimore really put the pressure on Cleveland by recovering an onside kick. But the Browns defense came up clutch at just the right time with Jadeveon Clowney coming up with a clutch sack that set the Ravens' offense back.

A couple plays later, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward iced the game with a pass breakup on fourth down:

Fourth down stop for the win!#ProBowlVote + @denzelward!

: #BALvsCLE on CBS
: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/VqK1QFbP7x
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 12, 2021

The Browns moved to 7-6 with the win and are now just one game behind the 8-5 Ravens for the AFC North lead. The 7-5 Cincinnati Bengals and 6-6-1 Pittsburgh Steelers are both still very much in contention for the division title, as well.

The big question now is the severity of the injury suffered by Jackson. After limping off the field with an ankle injury, Jackson was carted to the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the game.

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