Ravens at Browns final score: Lamar Jackson goes off to secure No. 1 AFC seed for Baltimore

The Ravens recovered from a slow start to lock up home-field advantage in the AFC

The AFC's No. 1 seed was up for grabs on Sunday, and the Baltimore Ravens didn't play around securing it, even if the Cleveland Browns put up quite a fight to open the rivals' Week 16 rematch. After a scoreless opening 15 minutes, Baltimore ran away with their 13th victory of 2019, routing Cleveland 31-15.

Freddie Kitchens' squad stayed neck and neck with Lamar Jackson and Co. through the scoreless first quarter of Sunday's rematch, getting an early fourth-down stop and stealing another possession after a fumbled exchange between Jackson and Mark Ingram, then taking a 6-0 lead on a contested touchdown catch by Demetrius Harris while the Denzel Ward-led secondary afforded Baltimore little breathing room.

Everything changed in the final two minutes of the first half, though, with Jackson racking up 138 passing yards and two scores just in that time frame. Tight end Mark Andrews started running wide open through a Cleveland secondary, which inexplicably broke down after a stout opening quarter, and Jackson capitalized by shifting the momentum back in Baltimore's favor -- and handing the team a 14-6 lead following an acrobatic off-balance TD toss to his favorite target.

From there it was all Ravens, as Jackson used his athleticism to pull away from the Browns in the second half.

Let's take a deeper dive into how the Ravens cruised past the Browns to lock up the No. 1 seed.

Why the Ravens won

Lamar Jackson may have been bottled up for more than a quarter to start the afternoon, but then we saw once more why he's MVP material -- and the biggest reason for the Ravens' success. Logging 138 passing yards and two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half would've been impressive enough, but then No. 8 piled on as the game wore on, showcasing his elite speed and getting the ball out quickly to rewrite the time-of-possession battle.

Without an injured Mark Ingram for the final stretch of action, Jackson even led his club in rushing with 105 (!) yards on the ground, but both Gus Edwards and Justice Hill also stepped up in "closer" roles during the waning minutes. Mark Andrews was reliable as usual, keeping the chains moving, while both Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith made up for some crucial third-down penalties with solid coverage, particularly against Odell Beckham Jr., who had four catches.

Why the Browns lost

It wasn't for lack of first-quarter effort. While Kitchens still got too cute with a few play calls and Mayfield was far from precise during Cleveland's opening 15 minutes, the Browns looked like a legitimate spoiler to start the day, keeping every Ravens play in front of them, forcing a pair of turnovers (including one on downs) and doing just enough offensively to set up a 6-0 lead.

Then everything returned to normal. The secondary started letting Ravens run wide open in space, Mayfield forced a couple important throws and was fortunate not to have thrown three picks instead of one, and Kitchens seemed intent on wiping away any of his club's late energy, calling a failed two-point try in the fourth quarter after the Browns pulled within nine. Only Nick Chubb looked consistent for Cleveland, and even he was limited to 15 carries for 45 yards on the afternoon.

Turning point

The Browns were seriously blanking Baltimore, at least with their strong secondary play, into the second quarter. But after the Ravens needed just two plays and 32 seconds to go 63 yards and take a 7-6 lead before halftime, Cleveland basically assured its fans things weren't going to end well with its own offensive drive in response. Thanks to three straight misfires from Mayfield on the ensuing series, the Browns punted the ball right back to Jackson and Co., who proceeded to march down the field (again) with ease, extending the Ravens' abrupt lead to two scores before the break -- and completely erasing all the momentum the Browns had built.

Play of the game

Jackson alone was good for a half-dozen highlight-reel escapes, but his TD pass to Mark Andrews, which put Baltimore up 14-6 ahead of the second half, was a thing of beauty. Pressured up the middle, the QB not only avoided a sack and then pump-faked a pass but re-cocked his arm and delivered a perfect touch throw, while moving and off balance, for a game-changing score.

Quotable

"The closest I have seen to Michael Vick is Lamar Jackson. Reffing Mike's 1999 Virginia Tech debut, I watched him front flip for a TD. Officiating elite, athletic QBs requires a delayed whistle and constant focus because you never know what will happen."

Courtesy of CBS Sports' Gene Steratore, longtime former NFL ref, those words pretty much echo everyone's sentiment about Jackson at this point, but they're worth sharing for the sake of reminding fans that the Ravens are the real deal for as long as Jackson is under center. He alone makes them a formidable Super Bowl contender, and now he's helped them lock up home-field advantage throughout his hopeful run to the MVP award.

What's next

The Ravens (13-2) are now secure atop the AFC postseason standings, meaning they're likely to rest starters for their Week 17 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers -- a rematch set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff next Sunday. The Browns (6-9), meanwhile, are now out of the playoff picture and will be playing for pride when they close their own regular season the same day with a 1 p.m. ET matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Relive all the action from Sunday's game below.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 4:07 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

That'll do it! Ravens have the No. 1 seed! Thanks for joining us, and stay tuned for even more analysis of this game and more.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 4:03 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

There goes Cleveland's final timeout. Only the two-minute warning stands in the way of the Ravens securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 4:02 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Browns rolling over at this point. They've got one more timeout, but the Ravens keep running well. 2:30 left.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 4:00 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Mayfield goes for it all after facing the pass rush, and it lands right in the arms of Marlon Humphrey. Too easy. Turnover for Baltimore, and this game is a wrap.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:54 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Browns just falling apart on the sideline. Guys flagged for arguing with refs. Beckham had the long discussion with Kitchens. And now the Ravens have confirmed this as a rout, with Justice Hill going all the way into the end zone for a statement score. Baltimore leads 31-15.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:48 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Gus Edwards playing closer here for the Ravens, bulldozing his way forward for a new set of downs. Clock still ticking.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:45 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

CBS broadcast shows Beckham Jr. clearly upset with Kitchens after the failed two-point try.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:44 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

That's on Freddie Kitchens. And stop me if you've heard that before. Browns shot themselves in the foot way too much in this game, which they made winnable on several occasions.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:42 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Browns going for two, and Mayfield can't connect. So Cleveland refuses to take the easy opportunity to get within one score.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:41 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Another killer penalty from the Ravens secondary -- Jimmy Smith called for holding. So it's first-and-goal Browns, and this time, they punch it in, with Mayfield tossing a perfect floater to Beckham. Cleveland has pulled within nine points.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:40 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Bad play-calling from Kitchens. Consecutive hand-offs to Chubb are stuffed in the red zone. Fourth-and-goal, and he finally dials up a pass, but Mayfield has nowhere to go or throw. But we've got a flag down.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:36 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Doesn't seem to affect him on the next play, though, as he fires a bullet to Jarvis Landry over the middle for a big pickup. Browns now well inside Ravens territory with the clock ticking under 10 minutes.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:36 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Mayfield rockets one to Beckham, who picks up a first down. Clock ticking, though, and Mayfield looks a little shaken up after the throw. Still out there, but grabbing his leg.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:31 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Browns make a stand in the red zone, holding Baltimore to a FG try.

[Dec 22, 2019 at 3:29 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Ravens still just a few yards away from making this thing look ugly. Already have taken up more than six minutes of clock on this drive.