Heroic Lamar Jackson Leads the Ravens to a Big Win Over the Cleveland Browns, 47-42

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns in what might have been the best game in this NFL season. Led by fantastic, MVP-like, Lamar Jackson, the guests from Baltimore struck a late win, 47-42, after Jackson’s superb performance.

The reigning NFL MVP was sidelined because of cramps once his replacement Trace McSorley went down injured on the fourth down. He was stretching but didn’t have any other choice but to come back on the field following a two-minute warning.

“It was fourth down, my guys were making great catches and we came out with the victory. As soon as I saw him go down, I came out of the locker room,” he said.

Jackson fired a 44-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown, on fourth-and-5, pulling his team to a 42-35 lead. But the game was far from over.

In four plays, and 47 seconds, Baker Mayfield tied the game, and the Browns came back. Mayfield threw a 22-yard pass to Kareem Hunt, who would reach the promised land.

Stiffed and exhausted, Jackson went for another race with the clock, and even though he moved the football down the field for just 38 yards, that was enough for Justin Tucker who hit a 55-yard field goal, with two seconds left on the clock.

Cleveland’s desperate attempts to come back ended with safety, and the Ravens’ bench massive celebration started. This was one of the most important games for them in the entire season because this win not only makes their playoff berth safer but brings them closer to the second spot in the AFC North, one game behind the Browns.

Psychologically, it means even more for the injury-shredded Ravens, who faced all sorts of adversity this year. Their games were often postponed due to COVID-19 infection; many players suffered tough, often season-ending injuries, forcing Baltimore to adjust and make changes in the game plan.

“It’s a game that’s going to go down in history. Our guys had faith and trust and belief, and sometimes that’s what it takes,” head coach John Harbaugh stated.

Jackson had just 163 passing yards for one touchdown, but rushed for two scores and 124 yards on nine carries. The guests demolished Cleveland on the ground, with Gus Edwards adding two more ground touchdowns, and JK Dobbins one.

Mayfield was 28-for-47 for 343 yards, two TD passes, and one pick, starting the game strong. He, too, rushed for a TD. Brown’s running backs were magnificent as well, with three scores, two coming from Nick Chubb, and one from Kareem Hunt, who added one more through the air, finishing the night with 110 yards from the scrimmage. Rashard Higgins caught 68 yards and a TD pass.

Instead of chasing the Steelers (11-2), who are slowly losing the pace, the home team (9-4) will now have to watch out for the Ravens (8-5).

“You can start pointing fingers, but that’s not this team. We know that we need to fight and make the plays to win when we need to,” Mayfield said to the reporters.

Browns travel to New York next, to meet the Giants, and after that stay in the Big Apple awaiting their matchup with the Jets. Mayfield and the boys jump back home following that to end the regular part of the season against the Steelers.

Ravens have a relatively easy schedule to close the season, hosting the Jaguars and the Giants, before visiting the Bengals.