NFL: Baltimore Ravens make it 9 in a row over Cleveland Browns

BaltimoreRavens_Ray Lewis — Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis takes down the Browns' Chris Ogbonnaya

The Baltimore Ravens made it nine consecutive victories over the Cleveland Browns on Thursday beating them 23-16.

In the first game since a lockout of referees ended, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw one touchdown pass and ran for another score at M&T Stadium in Baltimore, while Cary Williams returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown as the home team improved to 3-1 while keeping the Browns winless.

“It’s good to be back,” referee Gene Steratore told the captains at the pre-game coin toss.

After a scoreless first quarter, Torrey Smith collected an 18-yard pass from Flacco for a touchdown. Justin Tucker added a 45-yard field goal for Baltimore and Trent Richardson scored on a 1-yard run for Cleveland to make it 9-7 to the Ravens at halftime.

Flacco scored on a 1-yard dash in the third quarter and Williams got Baltimore’s final score after Phil Dawson kicked a 51-yard field goal for Cleveland.

Dawson added two more field goals, from 50 and 52 yards, in the fourth quarter to tie an NFL single-game record by kicking three field goals of 50 yards or longer.

Flacco completed 28 of 46 passing attempts for 356 yards. Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden completed 25 of 52 passes for 320 yards and one interception.

“Our guys battled hard,” said Browns head coach Pat Shurmur. “We fell a couple of plays short.”