The Cleveland Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 on Sunday, overcoming a creative Baltimore offensive scheme to pull out a win at home.
In the first quarter, Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle lined up tight end Josh Cuevas at the left guard position. Because Cuevas was not positioned on the line of scrimmage, he remained an eligible receiver despite appearing to be part of the offensive line. The Browns’ defense did not account for him, and he ran a route uncovered for a 29-yard reception from quarterback Tyler Huntley.
The same trick set up Baltimore’s first points of the game. Cuevas was left wide open in the end zone on the ensuing play for the game’s opening touchdown. He finished the afternoon with four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown — a breakout performance for a player who had caught just three passes all season entering the game.
Despite building a double-digit lead, Baltimore could not hold on. Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson led a decisive final drive, connecting with Jerry Jeudy on a 33-yard pass that set up Andre Szmyt’s game-winning 37-yard field goal.
Browns coach Todd Monken credited his team’s effort after the win.
“Our guys are a scrappy group and they played their rear ends off for 60 minutes,” Monken said. “And that will always give you a chance to win.”
The result left the Ravens reflecting on a missed opportunity. Safety Kyle Hamilton acknowledged the team let the game slip away.
“I think that’s one we definitely should have won,” Hamilton said. “In this league, you let a team in the game, especially at home, this division you let a team stay around they’re going to find momentum. Defense, we have to go out there and get some stops to ice the game at the end, but it’s about playing complementary football.”
