Business as Usual for the Browns
BALTIMORE — The Cleveland Browns’ playoff hopes rested on their ability to move 92 yards in just over two minutes, without a timeout.
Some teams might have panicked. For the Browns, it was just another Sunday.
Tim Couch capped a frantic drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to Mark Campbell with 29 seconds left, and Phil Dawson’s conversion gave Cleveland an improbable 14-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
“This team has been in those situations all year long, and we’ve come out on top quite a few times,†Couch said. “As long as you have the chance to score and get back in the game, you’ve got to always believe.â€
The victory kept the Browns’ playoff hopes alive. In the process, Cleveland practically eliminated its most-hated rivals.
The Ravens left the stadium still alive in the wild-card chase, albeit only mathematically.
“It was a great opportunity to prove something to a lot of people, and we were so close,†Raven quarterback Jeff Blake said. “To lose like that is tough.â€
This was the Browns’ 11th game that came down to the final minute, and on this day Cleveland (8-7) pulled out a victory by ripping through a defense that dominated since the first quarter.
Down 13-7 and taking over on their eight with 2:18 left, Couch calmly jogged onto the field supremely confident.
“We went out in the huddle and we knew our season was riding on that drive. It’s either you go down and score or you go home,†Couch said.
Cleveland needed only eight plays to reach the end zone. The key moment came when Couch connected with Jamel White for a 28-yard completion, and a late hit by Chris McAlister moved the ball to the 13.
“You’ve got to be smart.... It’s unfortunate to do that at that time,†Raven Coach Brian Billick said.
Three plays after the penalty, Couch connected with a wide-open Campbell to beat the Ravens (7-8), who were vying to get over .500 for the first time this season.
Instead, Baltimore’s dream of reaching the playoffs for a third consecutive season virtually disappeared.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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