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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 1:38 p.m., Sunday, September 21, 2008

NFL: Ravens use big 3rd quarter to keep Browns winless

By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee looks for running room against Cleveland Browns defensive end Corey Williams (99) and linebacker Andra Davis (54) during the second quarter today in Baltimore.

NICK WASS, Associated Press

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BALTIMORE — In less than a minute, the Baltimore Ravens scored two touchdowns and further ruined an already agonizing season for the Cleveland Browns.

Baltimore turned two of Derek Anderson's interceptions into a pair of touchdowns during a 50-second span of the third quarter, and the rested Ravens stayed unbeaten with a 28-10 victory today.

Ed Reed returned one of the interceptions 32 yards for a score, and Le'Ron McClain scored his first two NFL touchdowns on a pair of 1-yard runs — both during a 21-point third quarter that turned a 3-point halftime deficit into a 28-10 lead.

Back from a knee injury, Willis McGahee rushed for 64 yards and a score for the Ravens (2-0), who were forced to take last week off when Hurricane Ike postponed their game at Houston.

Anderson had another trying day in an effort to generate some offense for Cleveland, which was picked by many to be a contender in the AFC North. Anderson went 14-for-37 for 125 yards, was sacked four times and threw three interceptions.

The Browns (0-3) have scored only two touchdowns in their three defeats. The last team to reach the playoffs after losing its first three games was the 1998 Buffalo Bills.

Baltimore went ahead 14-10 by cashing in a turnover on the Browns' first possession of the third quarter. Kellen Winslow was hit by Ray Lewis while trying to catch a pass, and Chris McAlister plucked the ball from the air and took the interception to the Cleveland 12. Four plays later, McClain scored.

Reed then stepped in front of tight end Steve Heiden, caught Anderson's pass and sprinted into the end zone for his fourth career interception return for a touchdown.

Later in the quarter, a 21-yard punt return by Jim Leonhard and a roughness penalty on Mike Adams gave Baltimore the ball at the Cleveland 35. The five-play drive ended with a touchdown run by McClain.

That all but assured the Ravens another win under first-year coach John Harbaugh. Last year, Baltimore lost twice to Cleveland.

Ravens safety Dawan Landry was taken from the field by a cart in the second quarter after being struck in the helmet with a knee by Jamal Lewis. Landry was trying to make a tackle on the play, and immediately slumped to the ground.

Landry never lost consciousness and had movement in all his extremities, according to Ravens orthopedist Leigh Ann Curl. A CT scan at a nearby hospital indicated he was OK.

Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco completed his first seven passes, hitting five different receivers for 74 yards before throwing his first career interception. D'Qwell Jackson's pickoff set up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to Jerome Harrison, who took a toss in the right flat and weaved his way into the end zone.

The score, on the first play of the second period, ended Cleveland's run of seven straight quarters without a touchdown.

Baltimore's next possession ended in another interception, this one during a trick play. McGahee took a handoff and ran to his right before sending a lateral to Flacco, whose pass in the end zone was wrestled away from Derrick Mason by Adams.

But a 31-yard punt by Dave Zastudil gave Baltimore the ball at the Cleveland 43, which led to McGahee's touchdown run.

Cleveland took a 10-7 lead with a 13-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a 38-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.