The Baltimore Ravens secured their second consecutive NFC North title with a dominant 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns, setting the stage for a promising playoff run. The win was highlighted by a remarkable interception by defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who snagged his first career pick in a crucial red zone stand. Pierce's impressive play, where he positioned his 355-pound frame to intercept a pass from Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, sealed the victory and allowed the Ravens to run out the clock.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson continued his stellar season, throwing touchdown passes to Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman. Jackson's performance throughout the season has placed him firmly in the MVP conversation. He achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first quarterback to reach 4,000 passing yards with 40 or more touchdowns and four or fewer interceptions. Adding to his impressive resume, Jackson also amassed 915 rushing yards, marking him as the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for at least 800 in a single season. His 119.6 passer rating fell just short of Aaron Rodgers' single-season record of 122.5.
While the Ravens celebrate their divisional triumph, there is concern surrounding the health of Pro Bowl receiver Zay Flowers, who exited the game in the second quarter with a right knee injury. The extent of the injury and its potential impact on the Ravens' playoff hopes remain to be seen.
The Browns concluded a disappointing 3-14 season with their sixth consecutive loss. Both Bailey Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson saw action at quarterback, but neither managed to generate consistent offense. Zappe connected with Jordan Akins for a 16-yard touchdown pass, briefly narrowing the gap to 21-10, but the Ravens responded with a decisive scoring drive capped off by a Derrick Henry touchdown run. Henry, celebrating his 31st birthday, added another touchdown run later in the fourth quarter, concluding the season with an impressive 1,921 rushing yards and a franchise-record 16 rushing touchdowns.
The Ravens (12-5) now await their playoff opponent, which will be either the Los Angeles Chargers or the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore's impressive four-game winning streak propelled them from two games behind the Steelers to the top of the NFC North. The Browns, meanwhile, will look to regroup and rebuild after a challenging season.
