Ravens Avenge Browns 31-15, Clinch AFC Home-Field Advantage

By Joe Schiller

The road to the Super Bowl in the AFC runs through Baltimore. 

In Week 4, the Ravens were handed their second-straight defeat in a 40-25 loss to the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Fast forward to Week 16, and it's been the story of two teams that have gone in the complete opposite direction. 

The Ravens got their revenge, beating the Browns 31-15 on Sunday afternoon. It was Baltimore's 11th straight win as they secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the first time in franchise history at 13-2. The Ravens have never hosted an AFC Championship game, but they'll have the opportunity to do it this season with their eyes on the Lombardi Trophy. 

Coming off extended rest, the Ravens couldn't have started the game much worse. They were held scoreless in the first quarter for just the third time this season. Following a turnover on downs and a fumble, Baltimore punted twice as the Browns took a 6-0 lead when Baker Mayfield connected with Demetrius Harris for a 1-yard touchdown pass. 

Both sides of the ball looked sluggish in a game that was shaping up to be an AFC North grudge match. But despite being without all three timeouts for most of the second quarter, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense found a spark with the two-minute offense. It took just two plays as Jackson found Mark Andrews down the seam for a 39-yard touchdown. On the ensuing drive, the two connected again to give the Ravens a 14-6 lead just before halftime. 

Andrews caught his league-leading 10th touchdown for tight ends, and set a franchise record for the most touchdowns at the position in a single season.

Only three @Ravens ever have posted at least 10 receiving TDs in a season. What a year tight end @Mandrews_81 is having. #ProBowlerMOST RECEIVING TDSRAVENS SINGLE SEASON14 -- Michael Jackson (1996)11 -- Torrey Smith (2014)10 -- Mark Andrews (2019)

The Ravens found their groove offensively going into the half, and they didn't stop to start the third quarter. They marched 69 yards on 13 plays to take a 21-6 lead when Jackson found Mark Ingram wide open for a 12-yard touchdown. 

Jackson finished 20-of-31 for 238 yards and three touchdowns. He eclipsed 3,000 passing yards on the season and passed Vinny Testaverde to set the franchise passing touchdown record. Not too bad for a running back who should be the unanimous selection for the NFL MVP award when it's all said and done.

Cleveland fought their way back with an Austin Seibert field goal and an Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown, but Justice Hill's 18-yard touchdown and Marlon Humphrey's late interception sealed the deal for the AFC North champs. 

There will be plenty of discussion to how the Ravens will handle a Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week with eveything wrapped up. But for now, let's just enjoy the moment. 

Put this next to the Mona Lisa. pic.twitter.com/j2BT5ZHA8C