Baltimore Ravens Beat Cleveland Browns, 23-16, as NFL Officials Return
Cary Williams returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown, and the Baltimore Ravens held on to defeat the Cleveland Browns, 23-16, in Baltimore on Thursday night.Cleveland (0-4) had its final drive stall at the Ravens’ 18-yard line when quarterback Brandon Weeden’s pass fell incomplete after time expired. It was the first NFL game played this season with regular NFL officials, who agreed to terms on Wednesday that ended the lockout. The crowd cheered the officiating crew as they walked onto the field prior to the game.
After leading 9-7 at the half, the Ravens (3-1) went on a 13-play, 89-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard scoring run by quarterback Joe Flacco to make it 16-7. After one of Phil Dawson’s three, second-half field goals brought the Browns to within 16-10, Williams picked off a Weeden pass and returned it for the score that ultimately decided the game.
Weeden finished with 320 yards passing. Browns’ running back Trent Richardson carried 14 times for 47 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 356 yards and a touchdown for Baltimore. Anquan Boldin caught nine passes for 131 yards for the Ravens.