CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) – Justin Tucker kicked a 32-yard field as time expired, giving the Baltimore Ravens a 23-21 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Tucker’s boot capped another challenging week for the Ravens (2-1), who continue to be dogged by questions surrounding running back Ray Rice’s domestic violence suspension.
Joe Flacco set up Tucker’s game-winner with a 32-yard pass to Steve Smith with 1:28 left. The Ravens then ran the clock down before bringing in Tucker, who split the uprights and sent the Browns (1-2) to another tough loss. Both of Cleveland’s losses have come on last-play field goals.
Flacco finished 19 of 31 for 217 yards with one touchdown.
Cleveland’s Brian Hoyer completed 19 of 25 passes for 290 yards. The Browns failed to capitalize on several chances to put the Ravens away in the second half. Cleveland missed a field goal and had one blocked.
While Hoyer was at the helm for most of the game, Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel turned a few heads with a trick play that fooled Baltimore’s defense for a big gain, only to see it called back by a penalty.
After replacing starter Brian Hoyer and handing off, Manziel ran toward the sideline acting as if he was leaving the field. He paused near the sideline and pretended to have an animated conversation with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when the ball was snapped.
Manziel then caught a short pass from Hoyer and sprinted down Cleveland’s sideline before he was shoved out of bounds.
The play worked to perfection but Browns rookie running back Terrance West was called for an illegal shift, negating the 39-yard pickup.
Manziel made his NFL debut last week against New Orleans, and the Browns are keeping a package of plays for him.