Mike Ford Jr. Picks Off Lamar Jackson, Browns Cant Cash In

Originally posted on FanNation Browns Digest
By Anthony Moeglin | Last updated 11/12/23

The Browns and Ravens find themselves in a typical AFC North slugfest. Both defenses are playing well - the Ravens' defense is playing a touch better.

With one minute left in the first half, the Ravens got the ball back leading 17-9 trying to get some points before half. On first down Lamar broke the pocket and scrambled for a nine-yard gain. He was escorted out of bounds by Browns defensive back Mike Ford Jr.

A scuffle ensued after that first down play.

As the dust settled the Ravens lined up for a 2nd and 1. Lamar dropped back to pass and underthrew a streaking Rashad Bateman into the waiting arms of, you guessed it, Mike Ford Jr.

.@MikeFordJr_ forces the TO to give us a shot before the half!#CLEvsBAL on FOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/EZUsiwSwQp
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 12, 2023

His back-to-back plays set the Browns up with a chance to get three or seven more points before the half.

After a crucial 3rd and 7 conversion to Elijah Moore had Cleveland just on the outskirts of Dustin Hopkins' range. They needed about three yards to get into range and a five-plus yards to feel comfortable about the try.

The Browns had three straight dropbacks that yielded three straight incompletions. On fourth and 10, the Browns field goal team ran onto the field and looked like they were going to attempt a 60-yard field goal.

When that group came on, Deshaun Watson ran with the training staff into the locker room. Kevin Stefanski second-guessed the 60 yard attempt, called a timeout and ran the offense back onto the field.

With Watson in the locker room, PJ Walker came out for the Hail Mary effort. The attempt fell about five yards short and the Browns were unable to cash in on the Lamar Jackson turnover.

That is a huge swing in momentum in favor of the Ravens. Baltimore turned their Browns' turnover directly into seven points. Cleveland has taken both of Baltimore's two turnovers and got only three points out of them.

The second half starts now, Browns trail 19-7.

This article first appeared on FanNation Browns Digest and was syndicated with permission.

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