You don’t have to tell that to either the Browns or the Ravens, who have played two extremely competitive games over the past three weeks.
The Ravens, who lost Lamar Jackson to a high ankle sprain in the first half, were unable to get Justin Tucker into field goal range, however, as Tyler Huntley’s pass to Rashod Bateman was completed well short of the first down on Baltimore’s final offense play.
Cleveland held a commanding halftime lead on the strength of Baker Mayfield’s passing and a defense that neutralized Jackson, who left the game after sustaining his injury on the first play of the second quarter.
Aided by two pass interference penalties that totaled 48 yards, the Browns scored the game’s first points on Chase McLaughlin’s 43-yard field goal on Cleveland’s second possession.
Averett’s pick set up Tucker’s 50-yard field goal that got the Ravens on the board with 3:30 left in the first half.
The Ravens responded by scoring their first touchdown on Latavius Murray’s 1-yard score that was up by Bateman’s 36-yard catch, plus two catches for 33 yards from Andrews.
Cleveland’s defense, which came up with several key stops throughout the game, received a sack from Jadeveon Clowney on the Ravens’ second play following the onside kick.
Cleveland dominated the first half and was able to make enough plays to hold off the Ravens in the second half.
Defensively, the Browns held the Ravens to just 1 of 12 on third down.
But his two fumbles proved costly for the Ravens, who lost to the Bengals for just the fifth time in John Harbaugh’s 14 seasons as Baltimore’s coach.
But instead of kicking an extra point that would have made it a 24-16 game, Harbaugh kept his offense on the field for a two-point try.
Garrett strengthened his case for Defensive Player of the Year with his sack/forced fumble/fumble recovery for a score that made it a 17-3 game in the second quarter.
Very proud of those guys.” — Mayfield, to CBS Sports’ Melanie Collins, on his defense being able to come down with the game-winning stand.
If you wait until the last two-point conversion and don’t get it, the game’s over and you’ve lost.” — Harbaugh on his decision to go four two points after the Ravens cut the deficit to nine points with 8:56 left.
The Browns will stay at home with a game against the Raiders, who fell to 6-7 after losing a 48-9 decision to the Chiefs on Sunday.