NFL
Lamar Jackson makes history as the Ravens win the AFC North
The Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, were crowned AFC North champions after defeating the Cleveland Browns 35-10.
Lamar Jackson (16-for-32, 217 yards, 2 TD, 9 RB, 63 yards) led the Baltimore Ravens (12-5) to victory and the AFC North championship after beating the Cleveland Browns (3-14) 35-10 in the last game of the 2024 regular season. In the process, the quarterback became the first player in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 900.
With Baltimore’s win, the Ravens will face the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round of the AFC playoffs. The other first-round matchups will be Houston Texans against Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo against the team that finishes in seventh place, either the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins or Cincinnati Bengals. However, everything could change with the Steelers' duel with the Bengals.
Baltimore defense dominates Cleveland
Baltimore opened the scoring with a pick-six. Nate Wiggins intercepted a pass from Bailey Zappe (16-31, 136 yards, TD, 2 INT) looking for Elijah Moore and the cornerback took it to the end zone. It was the first career interception for the player selected with the 30th overall pick in the last draft.
The game continued with turnovers on downs for both teams. First, Zappe looked for Jerry Jeudy on a deep run on fourth down and one yard to go from his 39-yard line. The wide receiver didn’t catch the pass because Marlon Humphrey deflected the ball. The Ravens didn’t take advantage of the good field position because six plays later they gave the ball back to the Browns when they couldn’t convert a pass between Jackson and Henry from the visitors' 9-yard line.
The Browns decided to change quarterbacks after three offensive series, giving the reins of the attack to Dorian Thompson-Robinson (2/3, 13 yards, 2 rush, 2 yards). His stay did not last long and Zappe returned to the field.
Lamar Jackson, the first player with 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards
Jackson surpassed the 4,000-yard mark and reached his 40th touchdown on a 12-yard connection with Mark Andrews in the second quarter. The Browns broke the tie with a 23-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins.
The Baltimore quarterback added his second touchdown pass of the night during the third quarter when he found Rashod Bateman open in the end zone.
Cleveland managed to make the score more dignified in the fourth quarter by capping a 12-play, 72-yard drive with a Zappe pass to Jordan Akins. However, Baltimore responded immediately and the Ravens scored twice more on the ground thanks to Derrick Henry (20 rushes, 138 yards, 2 TDs, 2 rebounds, 23 yards).
The Browns' starting quarterback threw a second interception right into the hands of defensive lineman Michael Pierce; who instead of pressuring him dropped back into pass coverage. The Ravens took no further risks and sent in their backups to finish the game.