2. Browns 33, Ravens 30 (overtime), Nov. 18, 2007 at Baltimore
The Browns forced overtime when they tied the game, 30-30, on Phil Dawson’s 51-yard field goal on the final play of the fourth quarter.
The kick was originally called no good, after the football hit the left upright and then appeared to carom off the crossbar before falling into the end zone. Players from both teams left the field, but several Browns stayed to claim that — after the ball had hit the upright — it bounced onto and then off the curved support extending from the crossbar. Thus, they said, the ball had gone through the uprights. The officials discussed the play and agreed with the Browns’ contention, changing their call to a made field goal.
Safety Brodney Pool’s 100-yard touchdown return of an intercepted Kyle Boller pass had given the Browns a 27-14 lead entering the fourth quarter. Baltimore, though, rallied to a 30-27 lead on a touchdown and three Matt Stover field goals, the last of them from 46 yards and breaking a 27-27 tie with 26 seconds left. Josh Cribbs then returned the Baltimore kickoff 39 yards to the Cleveland 43 and Derek Anderson connected with wide receiver Braylon Edwards on the last play before Dawson’s game-tying boot.
Cribbs began the overtime with a 41-yard kickoff return to the Browns 41. Eight plays, including two Anderson completions totaling 29 yards to tight end Kellen Winslow II, led to Dawson’s game-winning 33-yard field goal.
Anderson finished 24 of 38 passing for 274 yards and one interception. Edwards (eight receptions, 85 yards), Winslow (five for 64) and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius (four for 82) led the receivers. Former Baltimore standout running back Jamal Lewis led Browns runners with 92 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Cribbs returned seven kickoffs for 245 yards and four punts for 61 yards. The Browns defense notched six quarterback sacks, including two by lineman Robaire Smith.
The Browns became 6-4 with the win. They would finish 10-6, which remains their best win-loss record since their return as an NFL franchise in 1999. Cleveland missed the postseason, though, matching Tennessee’s record, but losing a tiebreaker to the Titans for a wild card playoff berth. Baltimore dropped to 4-6 and finished 5-11.
Recent Comments