Throwback Thursday: 2007 OT win over Baltimore

This week, Mike Pettine put together a presentation on the Cleveland Browns history with the Baltimore Ravens. Some of the young players, born in the 1990s, had no idea the Ravens used to be the Cleveland Browns. The head coach also scornfully reminded his club the last time the Browns were able to beat the Ravens on the road was back in 2007, back when Pettine was still a young pup linebackers coach in Baltimore.

In 2007, Cleveland was led by possibly the best playmaking trio the franchise has had since its return in 1999. Quarterback Derek Anderson fired 29 touchdown passes and had 3,787 yards. Veteran running back Jamal Lewis galloped for 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns and wide receiver Braylon Edwards had 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 enormous touchdowns. Rookie left tackle Joe Thomas, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius and tight end Kellen Winslow were supporting characters in an offense that finished eighth in the NFL.

A year after finishing 13-3 but exiting the playoffs in the AFC Divisional round, Baltimore was spiraling out of control in this late November game and eventually fired longtime head coach Brian Billick after finishing 5-11. But with Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Willis McGahee, Bart Scott, Kelly Gregg, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap all still in the primes of their careers, these were still the Baltimore Ravens.

The 2007 Cleveland Browns lived and died by the big play, and that meant the defense, too. Late in the third quarter, the Browns clinged to a 20-14 lead and the Ravens were driving. Safety Brodney Pool picked off Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller in the end zone and took it 100 yards for an electrifying touchdown.

The 2007 Cleveland Browns lived and died by the big play, and that meant the defense, too. Late in the third quarter, the Browns clinged to a 20-14 lead and the Ravens were driving. Safety Brodney Pool picked off Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller in the end zone and took it 100 yards for an electrifying touchdown.

The 27-14 lead the Browns held would evaporate quickly. Baltimore picked up the tempo on offense, started moving the football and all of a sudden found itself kicking for a 30-27 lead with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Matt Stover drilled the kick and Cleveland had given up a big lead in a game that could determine its postseason fate.

This is where it pays off having a guy like Josh Cribbs, who returned the ensuing kickoff 39 yards to the Cleveland 43-yard line. A quick 6-yard out route from Anderson to Jurevicius gets the Browns to midfield with 11 seconds remaining on the clock.

My goodness, what a season this guy had. Edwards toasted veteran cornerback Chris McAlister for 18 yards down the middle of the field. Timeout. Cleveland advanced the ball in two plays all the way to the Baltimore 33-yard line.

With the cool November wind swirling, Dawson's veins matched the icy air. Dawson's kick bounced off the left upright and ricocheted inside the goal posts for three points. Only the Ravens didn't think the kick was good and sprinted onto the field in celebration. Referee Pete Morelli reviewed the play and ruled the kick stands. Baltimore and Cleveland headed to overtime tied at 30.

If you are a Browns fan under 30, it's hard to name a more thrilling season than Cleveland's 2007 run. The Browns won the coin toss, marched down the field and Dawson nailed the game-winning 33-yard field goal. The riveting 10-6 season ended without a playoff berth, but it'll be a campaign forever remembered by the Dawg Pound.