The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-16 at the M&T Bank Stadium Thursday as the regular officials got a standing ovation on their much-awaited return.
The victory was also the Ravens' 13th consecutive win at home, a franchise record.
Cleveland had an opportunity, thanks to a personal foul penalty on Paul Kruger, to get close and possibly force overtime, but the ensuing pass sailed out of the end zone.
Joe Flacco was again impressive, completing 28 of the 46 passes for 356 yards, for two touchdowns, one that he ran on his own. But it was Cary Williams who made a difference returning an interception 63 yards to obtain a score at the end of the third quarter.
The NFL's regular officials were on view on Thursday after a lockout ended following long drawn-out and intense negotiations. The officials received a thunderous round of applause from cheering fans. Referee Gene Steratore greeted the players saying: "Good evening, men, it's good to be back."
Fans were not happy when officials called Bernard Pollard, Ravens' safety, for a helmet to helmet hit. They jeered the call and booed the officials. However, replays confirmed that it was a valid call.
Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal brought the Browns to six points of the Ravens at 16-10. Unfortunately for Cleveland, they had to play the majority of their game without Joshua Cribbs, their wide receiver and punt returner.
He suffered an injury to his head when attempting to return a kick in the first quarter. The officials did not call a penalty since it appeared to be a legal tackle.
Thursday's game was the 13th consecutive victory at home for the Baltimore Ravens. Also, their streak of 10 successive wins is the most by any team in the league.
As for the Browns, they have lost their first four games as many as three times since 1998. In 1999 they finished 2-14 while in 2009 they finished 5-11.
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