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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ravens struggle to easy win

Associated Press

CLEVELAND – For 30 minutes, the Baltimore Ravens were inefficient, unproductive and disorganized. In 17 seconds, they changed all that.

Ray Rice scored on a 13-yard run and safety Dawan Landry returned an interception of Brady Quinn 48 yards for a touchdown on Cleveland’s next play as the Ravens overcame a horrendous start for a 16-0 win over the hapless Browns on Monday night.

The Ravens (5-4) didn’t score in the opening half, when they used up their three timeouts in the first 6:15, committed silly penalties, converted just one third down and actually made the Browns (1-8) look respectable.

But on Baltimore’s first possession of the second half, quarterback Joe Flacco connected on a 41-yard pass to Derrick Mason, who spun out of cornerback Brandon McDonald’s tackle and raced down the sideline to the Cleveland 13. Rice took it in from there to make it 7-0.

On the next snap, Quinn, making his first start since being pulled 10 quarters into the season by Cleveland coach Eric Mangini, threw high and wide to tight end Robert Royal and the ball bounced to Landry, who scampered in untouched.

The Ravens missed the extra point, but it hardly mattered. Cleveland didn’t cross the Baltimore 45.