The Baltimore Ravens solidified their status as AFC North champions with a commanding 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns at MT&T Bank Stadium, kicking off the final week of the NFL regular season in emphatic fashion.
While the game’s outcome was never in doubt, one unforgettable moment came late in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman Michael Pierce, all 355 pounds of him, dropped into coverage and snagged an interception off Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe. The crowd erupted in delight, and Pierce’s teammates mobbed him on the sideline.
Head coach John Harbaugh ensured the moment would be immortalized, presenting Pierce with a game ball after the contest. “The most incredible play in NFL history,” Harbaugh quipped with a grin. “That’s what we’re calling it, so he got a game ball for it.”
As has been the case all season, the Ravens’ high-octane offense was fueled by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, who delivered standout performances yet again.
Jackson, a two-time league MVP, strengthened his candidacy for another award with a stellar showing. He threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns while adding 63 rushing yards. In doing so, Jackson surpassed 4,000 passing yards for the season, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to achieve 4,000 passing yards, 40 touchdown passes, and four or fewer interceptions in a single season.
“What else needs to be said? Say less,” Harbaugh declared when asked about his star quarterback. “Lamar is a warrior, a competitor, and absolutely one of a kind. There’s no one like him.”
Meanwhile, Derrick Henry—known as “King Henry”—etched his name deeper into the record books. The five-time Pro Bowler ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns, closing out the regular season with 1,870 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Henry is now the only player in NFL history to record three seasons with at least 1,500 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
For the Browns, the loss capped a disappointing 3-14 campaign but came with a silver lining. The defeat secured Cleveland a top-three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, with a shot at landing the first overall selection depending on Sunday’s results.
The Ravens, now locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, turn their attention to their upcoming postseason showdown. They could face either a divisional clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers or a high-stakes battle against Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, and his Los Angeles Chargers.
As Baltimore marches into the playoffs, they do so with momentum, history-making performances, and a roster poised to contend for a championship.
