Just when it looked like the Ravens were about to lose on Groundhog Day – another late defensive collapse, paired with brutal interceptions – the unthinkable happened.
The Ravens have lost their fair share of heartbreakingly close games this season. Just about nothing has gone their way.
On Monday Night Football in Cleveland, the Ravens finally got the "miracle" – as safety Will Hill said himself – they've long been waiting for.
The Ravens pulled off an improbable and shocking 33-27 win in Cleveland on a final blocked field goal returned for a touchdown.
In his first NFL game, preseason or otherwise, defensive end Brent Urban used all 6 feet and 7 inches of his body to block a 51-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds of regulation. Hill picked up the deflection and returned it 64 yards up the sideline for the game-winning score.
The Ravens have now won back-to-back games for the first time this season and three of their last four to improve to 4-7.
In the first game without Joe Flacco, quarterback Matt Schaub had an up-and-down day. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Two impressive second-half drives were sandwiched between a pair of ugly interceptions, including one pick-six that has unfortunately become Schaub's Achilles heel. When Schaub threw his second interception with 50 seconds left, it looked like it was all over.
Browns kicker Travis Coons had beaten Baltimore in Week 5 with an overtime game-winning field goal. He had another chance to do it Monday night.
Urban's block – marking the Ravens' fifth-straight game with a blocked field goal, extra point or punt this season – underscored a day of big performances for Baltimore's backups.
Rookie running back Javorius Allen scored his first NFL touchdown,and recently-added former Browns (and Titans) running back Terrance West got some big gains against his old teammates. Playing in his second game as a Raven, Kaelin Clay started the scoring with a punt return for a touchdown.
Turning Point Of The Game
Urban's block and Hill's return flipped the game in the final seconds. These close endings have often gone against Baltimore, but not this week.
Impact Plays
- In his second game with the Ravens, Clay returned a punt 82 yards to put the Ravens on top early. Clay split two defenders and sprinted down the right sideline untouched for Baltimore's first score on a punt return since 2013.
- In the second quarter, Schaub dropped back on a play-action pass and heaved a 48-yard pass to speedy wide receiver Chris Givens. That set up Allen for his first career touchdown, in which he caught a pass over the middle and fought through poor tackles by a pair of Browns defenders before reaching the end zone, giving the Ravens a 17-3 lead.
- On a busted play during the next drive, Cleveland quarterback Josh McCown got flushed out of the pocket, then rolled left to find third wide receiver Marlon Moore streaking across the field for a 10-yard score, cutting the score to 17-10.
- The Ravens defense stiffened with the Browns knocking on the doorstep at the end of the first half. The pass rush got to McCown twice, essentially forcing two throw-aways, and safety Kendrick Lewis disrupted a pass to running back Duke Johnson. The Browns had to settle for a field goal to trail, 17-13, at the half.
- After a stellar first half, Schaub was bitten by his Achilles heel of the past couple years – the pick-six. He was intercepted on the outside by linebacker Karlos Dansby, who returned the pass 52 yards for a touchdown to give the Browns their first lead at 20-17 in the third quarter.
- Schaub bounced right back on the next drive. West got it started against his old team, breaking off gains of 16 and 11 yards. Schaub then completed a fourth-down conversion to fullback Kyle Juszczyk before throwing a 15-yard dart to wide receiver Kamar Aiken for a go-ahead touchdown.
- Leading by four points and starting at their own 1-yard line, the Ravens strung together a huge 17-play drive. It started with a 14-yard pass to tight end Crockett Gillmore to get them off the goal line. The Ravens went for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 24-yard line and got it on a quarterback sneak by Schaub. The veteran quarterback's passing, and good running from Allen and West,moved the team down the field. The Ravens settled for a 35-yard field goal to take a 27-20 lead with about nine minutes remaining.
- Just when it looked like the Ravens had it sealed, the defense let down late once again.* *Third-string quarterback Austin Davis was in with McCown (shoulder) injured and Johnny Manziel benched. The Ravens even had the Browns in third-and-19, but couldn't contain them. Davis responded with a 42-yard strike to speedy wide receiver Travis Benjamin, who flew open in zone coverage, to tie the game with 1:47 remaining.
- The Ravens had a chance to win the game in the final minutes, but Schaub's first pass on his final drive was picked off when cornerback Tramon Williams undercut Aiken, setting up the Browns for their final drive. It ended with the blocked field goal and the Ravens' return for the game-winning touchdown.
Standout Performer
Special Teams Unit
The Ravens special teams unit scored two touchdowns. It has now recorded a block in five straight games. Hill and Urban made the special teams play to win the game and Clay gave the Ravens an early lead. Kicker Justin Tucker was 2-for-2 on his opportunities, including one field goal from 49 yards.
Stat Of The Game
The Ravens' streak, and the NFL all-time record, is still alive. All 11 of their games this season have been decided by eight points or less.
On The Horizon
The Ravens will hit the road again to take on the Miami Dolphins, who have lost four of their last five games.
Check out the best photos from FirstEnergy Stadium as the Ravens battle the Browns.