Action Jackson rescues Ravens as Browns lose thriller
LOS ANGELES: Lamar Jackson inspired a dramatic fourth quarter comeback as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive with a wild 47-42 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday.
A thrilling AFC North divisional battle saw Cleveland recover from a 34-20 deficit at the end of the third quarter to take a 35-34 lead with just over six minutes remaining after quarterback Baker Mayfield rushed for a touchdown.
However Baltimore quarterback Jackson, who had been off the field after complaining of cramp, returned to the fray and scrambled to set up a 44-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown as the Ravens regained the lead.
Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins blasted over for a two-point conversion to give Baltimore a 42-35 lead with under two minutes remaining.
Cleveland were anything but finished as Mayfield led another drive 75 yards upfield to set up a tying touchdown score for Kareem Hunt to make it 42-42.
Jackson however had the final say, advancing the Ravens 38 yards and into field goal range as the seconds ticked down. Kicker Justin Tucker duly converted a 55-yard field goal to effectively seal victory with two seconds remaining.
From the restart, Browns receiver Jarvis Landry was forced out of his own end zone to concede a safety as the Ravens escaped with a win that sees them remain in contention for a playoff berth.
Jackson said he had demanded to return to the field after seeing back-up quarterback Trace McSorley go down following a heavy hit in the fourth quarter.
“I was cramping. Back in the locker room, when I saw Trace go down, I’m like -- I gotta go out there,” the Ravens quarterback said.
Browns quarterback Mayfield praised his opposite number’s late rescue act.
“It was like a scene out of a movie,” Mayfield said of Jackson’s re-entry to the field. “As soon as Trace went down, to look up and see Lamar trotting back out onto the field, I was like ‘Jeez’. He’s just an unbelievable player.”