The regular referees returned to game action on Thursday and nearly played an integral role in the outcome of the Baltimore Ravens' 23-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. After the controversial ruling that decided Monday's game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, the league and the referees' union agreed to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement late Wednesday night, bringing regular referees back to the field to officiate all Week 4 games. With Cleveland trailing by seven and just over a minute left, the Browns got the ball at their own 10-yard line and Brandon Weeden completed a pair of passes to move his squad to midfield. Weeden then hit Benjamin Watson for 17 yards down to the Baltimore 33 before spiking the ball to stop the clock with 23 seconds remaining. After back-to-back incompletions, Weeden threw a Hail Mary pass into the corner of the end zone that was knocked away, but the referees called an unnecessary roughness penalty on Paul Kruger, who appeared to shove Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas after the play. Cleveland was unable to take advantage of the call however, as Weeden's desperation heave sailed out of back of the end zone, sending the Browns to their ninth straight defeat against the Ravens. Weeden finished 25-of-52 passing for 320 yards and an interception and Trent Richardson carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards and a score for the Browns (0-4), who remain the lone winless team in the AFC. Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was an efficient 28-of-46 for 356 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception, while Ray Rice rushed 18 times for 49 yards and added eight catches for 47 yards, as the Ravens (3-1) won their 13th consecutive home game, which is the longest current home winning streak in the NFL. Torrey Smith added six catches for 97 yards and a score and Anquan Boldin led the receiving corps with nine receptions for 131 yards.
tool name
closeNFL Game Capsules
The regular referees returned to game action on Thursday and nearly played an integral role in the outcome of the Baltimore Ravens' 23-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. After the controversial ruling that decided Monday's game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, the league and the referees' union agreed to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement late Wednesday night, bringing regular referees back to the field to officiate all Week 4 games. With Cleveland trailing by seven and just over a minute left, the Browns got the ball at their own 10-yard line and Brandon Weeden completed a pair of passes to move his squad to midfield. Weeden then hit Benjamin Watson for 17 yards down to the Baltimore 33 before spiking the ball to stop the clock with 23 seconds remaining. After back-to-back incompletions, Weeden threw a Hail Mary pass into the corner of the end zone that was knocked away, but the referees called an unnecessary roughness penalty on Paul Kruger, who appeared to shove Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas after the play. Cleveland was unable to take advantage of the call however, as Weeden's desperation heave sailed out of back of the end zone, sending the Browns to their ninth straight defeat against the Ravens. Weeden finished 25-of-52 passing for 320 yards and an interception and Trent Richardson carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards and a score for the Browns (0-4), who remain the lone winless team in the AFC. Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was an efficient 28-of-46 for 356 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception, while Ray Rice rushed 18 times for 49 yards and added eight catches for 47 yards, as the Ravens (3-1) won their 13th consecutive home game, which is the longest current home winning streak in the NFL. Torrey Smith added six catches for 97 yards and a score and Anquan Boldin led the receiving corps with nine receptions for 131 yards.
- Jefferson Prado-Huerta star left Sounders FC Academy to rededicate himself to schoolwork; now he's TNT's Player of the Year
- Swap of catchers won’t lower temp of Zduriencik’s hot seat
- Montero comes to Tacoma to find his swing
- Camas girl’s torrid 1,600 smokes Olympia’s Kane
- Albert Montanes reaches Nice Open final
- Boling: Swap of catchers won’t lower temp of Zduriencik’s hot seat
- McGrath: Bunt or blast, Rainiers’ versatile Tenbrink has major skills
- State lawmakers vote 'no' on flaws, 'yes' to photo retouching
- Bill balances desires of adoptees, birth parents
- Tacoma School Board to hold off on charter start-ups
- Plan ahead for smooth traveling this Memorial Day weekend
- Callaghan: When Tacoma’s totem pole welcomed a president
- LaRue: Proctor’s bike-rack bureaucracy tests patience of local Boy Scout
- Lights & Sirens: Pierce County woman charged with animal cruelty for starving horse
- Political Buzz: U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer to host town halls next week
- Seahawks Insider: Morning links: A look back at Russell Wilson in high school
- Mariners Insider: GM Jack Zduriencik talks about the decision to send down Jesus Montero
- Preps: State tennis primer: Washington boys' doubles team going for third 2A title
- TNT Diner: Project pork rib: Finding smoky perfection at barbecue restaurants in Pierce County
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.