The Browns finished the 2024 season with a 35-10 loss to the Ravens, bringing their season record to 3-14.
QB Bailey Zappe, who started his first game as a member of the Cleveland Browns, threw two interceptions in the loss, one of which was returned for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Zappe and TE Jordan Akins connected on a 16-yard score for the Browns' only touchdown of the game.
The Ravens were powered in the second half by RB Derrick Henry, who finished with 138 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. With the win, the Ravens clinched the AFC North title and the third seed in the AFC in the NFL Playoffs.
Key Moments
Zappe struggles in first half, warms up in the second
After struggling to make plays in the first half, Zappe showed improvement in the second half, leading the Browns to the end zone in the fourth quarter before throwing an interception on the Browns' second-to-last drive of the game.
Zappe finished the first half with just 55 passing yards. In the first quarter, Zappe threw a short pass intended for WR Elijah Moore, but Ravens CB Nate Wiggins stepped in front of the pass and returned it 26 yards for the Ravens' first touchdown of the day.
The third-year quarterback led the Browns' first scoring drive of the day in the second quarter, but was unable to finish with a touchdown. After connecting with Moore for a 23-yard reception, Zappe and the Browns offense stalled in the red zone. K Dustin Hopkins made a 23-yard field goal, his only field goal attempt of the game.
After three consecutive punts, the Browns offense finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter. Zappe completed six of his 10 passing attempts for 55 yards, capping off the drive with a 16-yard pass to Akins.
The Browns put themselves in position to score another touchdown in the game's waning moments after Zappe connected with WR Jerry Jeudy for a 30-yard gain, bringing them to the Ravens 22-yard line. However, on his final pass of the game, Zappe threw an interception to Ravens DT Michael Pierce on a pass intended for RB Jacob Kibodi.
Zappe finished with 170 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, completing 16 of his 31 passing attempts.
Browns run defense falters in the second half
After holding Henry to just 8 yards on six carries in the first half, the veteran running back and the Ravens' rushing offense came alive in the second half.
Henry opened the second half with a 25-yard rush, finding holes in the Browns defense to set up the Ravens for an eventual touchdown drive. The Ravens running back went on to rush for 130 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the second half.
Henry had four runs of 10 or more yards in the second half, including a 43-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The touchdown was Henry's second of the day, with his first coming earlier in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard run into the end zone.
In addition to struggling to stop Henry, the Browns had difficulty stopping QB Lamar Jackson. Jackson finished with two passing touchdowns and was not sacked in the Ravens' win. In addition to his 217 passing yards, Jackson added nine carries for 63 yards.
Jackson's feet allowed him to keep plays alive as he escaped pressure in the pocket throughout the game. On the Ravens' first drive of the second quarter, Jackson ran out of the pocket, creating time to toss a deep ball to TE Mark Andrews for a 30-yard touchdown.
After the Browns scored in the fourth quarter to make it an 11-point game, Jackson connected with WR Rashod Bateman on two passes of over 20 yards and Henry finished the job with a touchdown run to effectively seal the win for the Ravens.
Key Stats and Facts
- WR Jerry Jeudy finished with six receptions, surpassing WR Ozzie Newsome and WR Kellen Winslow Jr. for the Browns' franchise record for receptions in a single season with 90.
- Garrett's tackle for loss in the first quarter marked his 22nd of the season, which leads the NFL.
- Browns WR Kaden Davis finished with three kick returns for 107 yards. His 40-yard kickoff return in the second quarter marked a career high.
Game Highlights
DE Myles Garrett had his league-leading 22nd tackle for loss in the first quarter, bringing down RB Derrick Henry for a loss of four yards.
K Dustin Hopkins nailed his first and only field goal attempt of the game, bringing Cleveland its first three points of the game with a 23-yard field goal.
Before TE Jordan Akins's 16-yard touchdown reception, the Browns offense had gone 25 drives without a touchdown.
Scoring Plays
8:32 1Q | CLE 0 BAL 7 | Bailey Zappe pass short right intended for Elijah Moore INTERCEPTED by Nate Wiggins, returned 26 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
11:03 2Q | CLE 0 BAL 14 | Lamar Jackson pass short left to Mark Andrews for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6:33 2Q | CLE 3 BAL 14 | Dustin Hopkins 23-yard field goal is GOOD.
10:42 3Q | CLE 3 BAL 21 | Lamar Jackson pass short middle to Rashod Bateman for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11:33 4Q | CLE 10 BAL 21 | Bailey Zappe pass short left to Jordan Akins for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6:44 4Q | CLE 10 BAL 28 | Derrick Henry run left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3:04 4Q | CLE 10 BAL 35 | Derrick Henry run left end for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
What it means
The Browns finished the 2024 season with a 3-14 record, losing the final six games of the season. With today's win, the Ravens clinched the AFC North title and will be the third seed in the AFC in the NFL Playoffs.
What's next?
While the Browns' season has concluded, at least three players will have the opportunity to participate in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2 in Orlando.
CB Denzel Ward, WR Jerry Jeudy and DE Myles Garrett were all invited to the Pro Bowl and G Joel Bitonio, P Corey Bojorquez, RB Nick Chubb, TE David Njoku, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and G Wyatt Teller were selected as alternates.
