THUMBS DOWN

Braylon Edwards, Browns receiver

Baltimore had forged a tie at 27 to open the fourth quarter, but on third-and-7 from the Cleveland 23-yard line, Derek Anderson stayed in the pocket despite pressure and made his best throw of the season.
 Fifty yards later, it dropped perfectly in the hands of Edwards, who was a step ahead of Evan Oglesby at the 25-yard line.
The ball quickly slipped through Edwards’ hands for a game-changing drop — Edwards’ 12th of the year. Edwards, who finished with four catches for 86 yards and a 28-yard touchdown, dropped another key pass later, then declined to speak to reporters after the game.

THUMBS UP

Joe Flacco, Ravens quarterback

The rookie from Delaware might be giving Browns fans nightmares for the next decade. In just his eighth NFL game, he went 17-for-29 for 248 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 109.6 rating. He led his team back from a 14-point second-half deficit on the road with clutch third-down throws. He’s 6-foot-6 with a big arm and looked poised and accurate Sunday.

PLAY OF THE GAME

The Browns were one play away from burying the Ravens. They led 27-13 in the third quarter and had the Ravens facing third-and-16 from the 15-yard line. Instead of blitzing rookie Joe Flacco, coordinator Mel Tucker rushed three, which gave Flacco time to find Derrick Mason running open behind Terry Cousin and in front of the deep (too deep) safeties. The completion on the post went for 20 yards and a first down, and the Ravens went on to score a touchdown that turned the game.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“We play Denver on Thursday and have got to get a win. I hope our fans come to support us. Our defense, they feed off them. When they’re fired up, our defense flies around.”
— Browns quarterback Derek Anderson, who was booed by the home crowd and forced to listen to chants for backup Brady Quinn.

STAT OF THE GAME: 7

Yards of the longest rush by Jamal Lewis, which was the longest rush by a Brown. Lewis averaged 2.6 yards on 19 carries and the Browns finished with 64 yards rushing. The Ravens haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 27 games.

MATCHUPS

Offense

Derek Anderson was fine, but Joe Flacco was better, especially leading the comeback. Browns coordinator Rob Chudzinski got conservative late, the Browns were never able to establish the run and Braylon Edwards had a huge drop.
EDGE: Ravens

Defense

The run defense was bad, and the secondary worse. Cornerbacks Brandon McDonald, Eric Wright and Terry Cousin were burned repeatedly, and safety Sean Jones missed tackles on big runs. When the Ravens needed stops, they got them. And Terrell Suggs added the backbreaking interception return for a touchdown.
EDGE: Ravens

Special teams

Joshua Cribbs did all he could, but it wasn’t enough. He returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, set up another touchdown with a
32-yard punt return and made three solo tackles. Phil Dawson added a career-long 54-yard field goal.
EDGE: Browns

Coaching

Romeo Crennel declined a penalty on third down that allowed the Ravens to kick a 41-yard field goal. Coordinators Rob Chudzinski and Mel Tucker were too passive in their calls. Rookie Ravens coach John Harbaugh is 2-0 against the Browns.
EDGE: Ravens

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