The Cleveland Browns have finally found the endzone.
With under 12 minutes left in the game, Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe connected with tight end Jordan Akins for a 16-yard touchdown, ending the team’s 24-drive touchdown drought. Kicker Dustin Hopkins added the extra point to trim Baltimore’s lead to 21-10.
put some Zap on it to Akins for the TD#CLEvsBAL on ESPN/ABC & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/n9pv1YPduo
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 5, 2025
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy had a productive series in his final game of the season, hauling in three catches for 26 yards, including a key third-and-four conversion to extend the drive. Rookie Jamari Thrash appeared to score his first NFL touchdown on a 30-yard play, but the ruling was overturned upon review and called incomplete.
Zappe has completed 12 of 24 passes for 134 yards with a touchdown and an interception, though the pick-six remains the game’s most pivotal play. Akins leads the team in receiving with six catches for 60 yards, while all of Jeudy’s contributions came on this scoring drive.
Cleveland will need defensive stops and at least two more scoring drives to spoil the Ravens’ bid to win the AFC North.