Browns make 'big statement' with win over Ravens
The Cleveland Browns know how big Sunday's 33-31 road win over the Baltimore Ravens can be for the team entering the second half of the season.
"We talked all year about being resilient, no matter what the circumstances are," Browns guard Joel Bitonio said postgame, according to Jake Trotter of ESPN. "We had a couple of backup tackles, a guy we just picked up. ... No one ever gave up. We just kept fighting."
He added: "Deshaun (Watson) made some big plays for us, and we got the field goal to win, so it was a big statement for us."
Watson had a rough first half versus Baltimore but came up clutch in the final two quarters. The 28-year-old went 14-for-14 passing with 134 yards and one touchdown in the second half. He also engineered a 12-play game-winning drive that ended with a last-second 40-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins.
"It's not how you start, it's how you finish," wide receiver Amari Cooper, who caught six passes for 98 yards, said of Watson's performance.
The Ravens had a two-possession lead for most of the matchup and were up 31-17 with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, led by Watson and a clutch defense, Cleveland scored 16 unanswered points in the final frame to earn the victory.
"Big win on the road against a very, very great team," Watson said postgame. " ... It was definitely a big moment for us."
Watson was wearing a walking boot on his left foot after the game. The three-time Pro Bowler said he doesn't feel great but expects to play in Week 11, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The 6-3 Browns, who've now won two straight, host the Pittsburgh Steelers next.
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