The Baltimore Ravens manhandled the Cleveland Browns by a score of 35-10 to win their 12th game of the season and clinch the AFC North Championship for the second straight year. The victory also secured the number-three seed in the AFC for Baltimore.
John Harbaugh, the Ravens’ head coach since 2008, talked about how meaningful it is to win the division.
“[It’s] very, very exciting. [It’s] a very big deal to win the AFC North against the Browns,” he said during the team’s post-game press conference. “I’m proud of our guys. I’m excited for our guys. It’s a great accomplishment. We had said in the locker room after the Chiefs game out in Kansas City that we were going to fight, and everything was going to be for one another and for the greater glory.”
After that, Harbaugh wanted to pay recognition to the team’s offensive coordinator, who helped the Ravens set records this season.
Lamar Jackson is now the first player in NFL history with 40+ passing TD and under 5 interceptions in a single season.
A 41-4 TD: INT ratio.
Absurd season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 5, 2025
“The game ball that I didn’t give out – and I want to give out right now – the first team in the NFL with more than 4,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards in a season. That’s a great accomplishment, and it’s a group accomplishment, but Todd Monken is going to get a game ball for that,” he explained. “That’s a really incredible accomplishment.”
Even though the Ravens clinched the AFC North, coach Harbaugh doesn’t want his team to get complacent and settle for just making the playoffs.
“We’re the AFC North champions. Now, that’s going to be exciting, and we’re going to enjoy it tonight, and we’re going to watch games tomorrow and see who we play, but we’re going to be moving into what we’ve been working for,” he said. “Last year, when we were in the locker room after the AFC Championship Game, we knew we had a long road to go to get back to this very point. We’re not there yet. We still have a Wild Card game to get ready for, so that’ll be our next challenge.”
The Baltimore Ravens will either face the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the playoffs next week.
