CLEVELAND — Andre Szmyt drilled a 37-yard field goal with no time remaining on an untimed down Sunday, lifting the Cleveland Browns to a 13-10 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field.
The victory pushed the Browns to 4-2 on the season, moving them into a tie for the top spot in the AFC North division alongside Baltimore and the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ABC News. NBC Sports noted it is the first time since 2014 that Cleveland has held a share of first place this late in a campaign.
Fourth-Quarter Turnaround
Baltimore built a 10-0 advantage in the opening quarter. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, starting in place of injured starter Lamar Jackson, engineered an 11-play drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown strike to rookie tight end Josh Cuevas, Ravens Wire reported. Tyler Loop followed on the next series with a 34-yard field goal.
Cleveland managed just 46 yards of offense in the first half and trailed 10-3 after three quarters following a 48-yard Szmyt field goal. The game shifted early in the fourth quarter when Ravens running back Derrick Henry fumbled at the Baltimore 35-yard line. ABC News reported that linebacker Carson Schwesinger forced the ball loose, with Tyson Campbell recovering, while WHIO reported Schwesinger recovered the fumble.
Seven plays later, running back Audric Estime scored on a two-yard run to tie the game at 10-10 with 8:33 remaining. Estime had joined Cleveland from Minnesota’s practice squad earlier in the week to replace injured starter Quinshon Judkins, ABC News reported.
“I told the team, ‘Put this one on me,'” Henry said after the game, as quoted by ABC News. “I’ve just got to do better. Can’t put the team in this position.”
Final Drive Drama
The Ravens struggled to move the ball after their first-quarter surge, failing to score on their final nine drives, according to ABC News. Loop missed a 49-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter, and Szmyt sent a 48-yard try wide left with less than four minutes remaining, snapping a streak of 25 consecutive made field goals dating back to last year.
After Cleveland’s defense forced another Baltimore punt, quarterback Deshaun Watson took over at the Browns’ 20-yard line with 1:59 remaining. Watson completed a 33-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy on third down to reach the Baltimore 29.
Baltimore appeared to force overtime when its defense blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt from Szmyt as regulation ended. However, officials penalized the Ravens for an offside violation, which moved the ball forward five yards and awarded Cleveland an untimed down. Given a second chance, Szmyt converted the 37-yard kick to win the contest.
“Our guys are a scrappy group and they played their rear ends off for 60 minutes,” Browns head coach Todd Monken said, according to ABC News. “And that will always give you a chance to win.”
Key Stats and What Comes Next
Watson finished 16 of 26 through the air for 164 yards, adding 29 rushing yards on eight carries despite being sacked five times. Huntley went 19 of 31 for 165 yards with one touchdown for Baltimore, while Cleveland’s defense held Henry to 58 yards on 17 attempts.
Both squads sustained injuries during Sunday’s divisional battle:
- Browns safety Grant Delpit left during the first quarter and entered the concussion protocol, according to ABC News.
- Browns linebacker Justin Jefferson suffered a hip injury, ABC News reported.
- Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman exited in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return, according to ABC News.
- Ravens Wire reported that starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley also exited the game late.
Cleveland travels to Nashville on Oct. 25 to face the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore returns home next Sunday to play another AFC North opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals.
