While the Ravens didn’t enter the history books with a second straight shutout, the defense was again the star, again forcing five turnovers as the Baltimore Ravens opened their home slate.
The Ravens’ (2-0) got 5 takeaways including one end zone pick by Lardarius Webb, in a 24-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns (0-2).
Another one. ?? pic.twitter.com/zQsUb8EhhO
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 17, 2017
Joe Flacco doubled his 17 pass attempts from Week 1 in Cincinnati, completing 25/34, good for 217 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. It’s his second week back from a back injury that led the Ravens to sit him through all of preseason.
“I didn’t feel too much differently this week,” Flacco said.
The defense, he said, took a lot of stress off him as he watched from the sidelines.
“The team gets down they’re and you’re like ‘All right, they can still turn the ball over,” Flacco said. “It’s not going to last forever, I don’t think, but you just gotta tip your hat to them.”
Terrance West added one rushing touchdown, but Javorius Allen led the rushing attack with 14 attempts good for 66 yards. Benjamin Watson was Flacco’s most reliable target, hauling in eight catches for 91 yards. Allen and Jeremy Maclin caught Flacco’s touchdown passes.
The victory carried a stiff price: Six-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda fractured his left ankle and will be lost for the season.
“Unfortunately, it’s bad news,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ll have to bounce back from it, and we’ll have to handle it.”
Post Game Comments:
On the Browns side, starting quarterback DeShone Kizer split time in the first half with Kevin Hogan after Kizer left with a migrane. Kizer went 12/25 for 163 yards and three interceptions. Hogan, in his limited time threw 5/11 for 118 yards, the lone Cleveland touchdown and one interception.
The Ravens next take the longest road trip in franchise history, and they’ll all need their passports. They’re the road team next Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m….if you’re a Londoner. Baltimoreans will be enjoying football with their coffee and newspaper when the Ravens take the field at 9:30 a.m.
