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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:57 a.m., Sunday, November 2, 2008

NFL: Flacco throws 2 TDs, Ravens beat Browns 37-27

By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND — Baltimore's rookies came through and the Ravens' old man kicked it in, too.

Matt Stover, the ageless 40-year-old specialist, booted three field goals — the last with 5:36 left — and linebacker Terrell Suggs returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown to end Cleveland's last threat with 2:43 remaining as Baltimore rallied for a 37-27 win over the up-and-down Browns today.

Stover, who ranks fifth in league scoring history, made field goals of 41, 32 and 22 yards for the Ravens (5-3), who trailed 27-13 in the third quarter before storming back by scoring 24 unanswered points to beat the Browns (3-5) for the second time this season.

Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco threw touchdown passes to Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason, and first-year Baltimore running back Ray Rice rushed for a season-high 154 yards while filling in for injured starter Willie McGahee, who never left the sideline because of a bum ankle.

After Stover's third kick gave Baltimore a 30-27 lead, the Ravens' defense flushed out quarterback Derek Anderson, who threw the ball directly to Suggs. The linebacker snared the gift and raced untouched to the end zone where he taunted Cleveland's famed Dawg Pound section with a spike and dance.

Anderson threw two TD passes and may have had a third, but wide receiver Braylon Edwards dropped a long toss in the fourth quarter that may have put it away for the Browns. Anderson finished 17-of-33 for 219 yards but he left the field with Browns fans screaming "Bra-dy! Bra-dy!" for popular backup Brady Quinn.

Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and finished with 278 return yards.

With their third straight win, the Ravens moved within a half game of first place Pittsburgh in the AFC North.

It was a demoralizing loss for the Browns, who led 27-13 after Anderson's 7-yard TD pass to running back Jason Wright midway through the third quarter. But just when it appeared Cleveland, which had won three of four coming in, was on its way to getting back in the playoff picture, Flacco rallied the Ravens.

First, the improving QB from Delaware drove Baltimore 79 yards with fullback Le'Ron McClain plowing in from the 1 to pull Baltimore within 27-20.

After the Ravens' defense forced a three-and-out, Yamon Figurs returned a punt 23 yards to Cleveland's 42. On first down, Flacco hit Clayton for 14 yards, and one play later, he rifled a pass to Mason, who came back for the ball, deked cornerback Eric Wright and sprinted in to tie it 27-all.

Flacco finished 17-of-29 for 248 yards and Mason had nine catches for 136 yards.

On Cleveland's next possession, Edwards got behind Baltimore's secondary on third down but the talented wide receiver let a perfectly thrown ball from Anderson slip through his hands while he was in full stride. It was the latest drop by the Pro Bowler, who has been plagued by them all season.

Later, Rice ripped off a 60-yard run to set up Stover's field goal that made it 30-27.

The Ravens won despite missing three starters in their secondary as Chris McCallister, Samari Rolle and Dawan Landry sat out with injuries.