The Baltimore Ravens scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and book their place in the playoffs with a 20-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns this evening.
The Ravens appeared to be missing out on the post-season going into the final period, but their comeback coupled with the San Diego Chargers' failure to beat the Kansas City Chiefs ensured that they clinched the final playoff berth in the AFC.
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The first half proved to be a low-scoring affair, despite the Ravens winning possession back on the Browns' opening drive when Terrell Suggs collected a Connor Shaw fumble.
The visitors could not make the most of that turnover, and had to wait until the second quarter to get their first points of the match, with Justin Tucker kicking a 25-yard field goal to break the deadlock.
The Browns joined them on the scoreboard towards the end of the first half when Garrett Hartley levelled things up with a 38-yard kick, making it 3-3 going into the break.
The first touchdown of the game finally came late in the third quarter as Terrance West made his way over from two yards to put the Browns in control.
The Ravens looked to keep their playoff hopes alive in the fourth, but were forced to settle for a field goal early on as Tucker converted from 28 yards.
They did take the lead midway through the final quarter, however, when Torrey Smith pulled off an impressive catch to complete a 16-yard score that also saw Joe Flacco clinch a career-high 26th touchdown pass of the season.
The Ravens then gave themselves some valuable breathing space with a second touchdown of the quarter, this time Kamar Aiken collecting Flacco's short pass for a two-yard score.
That proved to be enough for the hosts, who saw out the victory to book their place in the post-season.
Barney Corkhill
