Lamar Jackson’s night wasn’t perfect by any standards, but the Baltimore Ravens‘ signal-caller managed to overcome early struggles in the passing game and cramps to beat out Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns in a shootout on Monday Night Football, 47-42.
Editor's note: All of PFF's grades and advanced stats from this game will be finalized and made available to ELITE subscribers within 24 hours of the final whistle.
Story of the Game
Before making his way to the locker room with an undisclosed injury, Jackson had helped the Ravens to a 34-20 lead with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Mayfield answered with two 12-play scoring drives (including one capped off by a Donovan Peoples-Jones two-point conversion) on the Browns’ next two possessions to claim the lead, 35-34.
Jackson returned to action just as his backup Trace McSorley limped off the field hurt as the clock hit the two-minute warning. Jackson connected with second-year wide receiver Marquise Brown for a 44-yard touchdown on the next play. Running back J.K. Dobbins capped off the score with a successful two-point conversion to put the Ravens ahead, 42-35.
Mayfield answered with a four-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, but he took just 47 seconds off the clock and ultimately left too much time for Jackson and company to put Justin Tucker in a position for the 55-yard game-winning field goal.
Though in a losing effort, Mayfield turned in one of his best games of the season. He completed 28-of-47 passes for 343 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The pick to Ravens linebacker Tyus Bowser was ugly, but Mayfield limited his mistakes outside of that one blunder and made several big-time throws on the night. He should finish PFF’s grading review process with an 80.0-plus grade. Running back Kareem Hunt and several members of Cleveland’s offensive line should also finish reviews with high single-game grades.
Marlon Humphrey was the star of the show defensively. He forced two fumbles in the game and had a forced incompletion on his way to what should be a 90.0-plus PFF grade on the night.
ROOKIE WATCH
Ravens rookie defenders Justin Madubuike and Patrick Queen both had impressive performances against Cleveland. The duo combined for four defensive stops and zero missed tackles on first review. Madubuike also added three pressures to his stat line.
Offensively, Browns rookie Peoples-Jones caught the aforementioned two-point conversion attempt in the end zone and added another three receptions for 74 yards in the game. Rookie tight end Harrison Bryant, however, had just three receptions for 18 yards.
Browns rookie offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. missed some snaps due to injury, was called for a false start and gave up three pressures.
ELITE subscribers can view player grades, advanced statistics, positional snap counts and more in Premium Stats 2.0.
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.