Baltimore Ravens defensive sort out Michael Pierce intercepted the primary move of his NFL profession Saturday to shut out a division-sealing victory towards the Cleveland Browns.
Pierce got here up with the large decide with the Browns’ offense within the crimson zone and with the Ravens up 35-10.
Pierce dropped into protection, put his 355-pound physique in entrance of a move from Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and introduced it in. He stumbled a bit with the ball earlier than rolling down to finish the play, permitting his offense to run the clock out.
The Ravens celebrated their second straight NFC North title when it was over.
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Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the course of the second quarter towards the Cleveland Browns at M&T Financial institution Stadium Jan. 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (Greg Fiume/Getty Pictures)
The Ravens (12-5) will open the playoffs at residence towards both the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore was two video games behind the Steelers within the division earlier than successful its remaining 4 to complete on prime.
Cleveland (3-14) ended a dreadful season with six straight losses. Each Bailey Zappe and Thompson-Robinson took snaps at quarterback within the finale. Neither might transfer the ball a lot, and Zappe had a move returned 26 yards for a landing by rookie Nate Wiggins for the sport’s first factors.
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The largest concern popping out of this sport for the Ravens was the well being of Professional Bowl receiver Zay Flowers, who left within the second quarter with a proper knee harm.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw landing passes to Mark Andrews within the second quarter and Rashod Bateman within the third, ending a spectacular season that may earn him a 3rd MVP award.
Jackson completed the season with 4,172 yards passing, 41 landing passes and solely 4 interceptions. He grew to become the primary quarterback to achieve 4,000 yards passing with 40 TD passes and 4 or fewer interceptions.
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D’Onta Foreman (27) of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by Roquan Smith (0) of the Baltimore Ravens in the course of the second quarter at M&T Financial institution Stadium Jan. 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Pictures)
Jackson completed the season with 915 yards speeding, changing into the primary to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for at the least 800. His passer score of 119.6 wasn’t fairly sufficient to interrupt the single-season document of 122.5 held by Aaron Rodgers.
Zappe threw for 170 yards with two interceptions. His 16-yard scoring move to Jordan Akins made it 21-10 within the fourth, however the Ravens answered with a 70-yard drive that resulted in a 2-yard landing run by Derrick Henry.
Henry, who turned 31 Saturday, added a 43-yard scoring run late within the fourth. He completed the season with 1,921 yards speeding and a franchise-record 16 speeding touchdowns.
Cleveland has now gone 28 consecutive video games with out permitting a 300-yard passer. Jackson completed 16 of 32 for 217 yards.
The Associates Press contributed to this report.
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