The Browns managed one touchdown -- on a trick play. But quarterback Colt McCoy had his worst day as a Brown, throwing three interceptions. Baltimore also held running back Peyton Hillis to just 35 yards on 12 carries.
In one of Sunday's few highlights, Browns wide receiver Brian Robiskie, catches a 29-yard touchdown pass against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris Carr. The first-quarter TD pass was thrown by wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Last season, the Browns won their final four games to help save coach Eric Mangini's job. This season, they are careening toward a four-game losing streak to close, thereby making Mangini's seat white-hot.
The Browns managed one touchdown -- on a trick play -- and had a huge gamble backfire in falling to the Baltimore Ravens, 20-10, at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Browns (5-10) have lost three in a row. They finish the season next Sunday at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Baltimore (11-4) has won three straight this season and six in a row overall against Cleveland.
In the week leading to the game, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis told reporters there would not be a repeat of Browns running back Peyton Hillis gaining 144 yards on the ground, as happened Sept. 26 in Baltimore. Lewis was correct: Hillis managed 35 yards on 12 carries.
The Ravens received a belated Christmas gift at the outset of the second half. Browns kicker Phil Dawson's onside-kick attempt bounced out of bounds; it did not travel the required 10 yards, regardless.
Baltimore showed its appreciation by scoring a touchdown on the third play of the ensuing possession to build a 20-10 advantage. Joe Flacco connected with Derrick Mason from 22 yards at 13:30. Mason fought through illegal coverage by Sheldon Brown.
The Browns were reeling until late in the third quarter, when Flacco under-threw Anquan Boldin and was intercepted by corner Joe Haden at the Cleveland 41. The Browns reached the Baltimore 47 before punting.
Cleveland drove to the Baltimore 27 late in the fourth, but Ravens safety Ed Reed intercepted Colt McCoy near the goal line. Reed finished with two picks.
The Ravens led, 13-10, at halftime.
The Browns received the opening kickoff and began the possession at their 35. McCoy went 3-of-3 before being intercepted inside the Baltimore 5. McCoy attempted to connect with Mohamed Massaquoi deep down the right side, but Massaquoi was well-covered.
McCoy's long passes have left something to be desired in his rookie season.
After holding Baltimore to a three-and-out, the Browns took over in Ravens territory. They moved to the 29, at which point Seneca Wallace entered to take the first-down snap.
Wallace faked a handoff and pitched the ball to Massaquoi, who rolled right and threw into the end zone in the neighborhood of Brian Robiskie. While defensive back Chris Carr lost track of the ball, Robiskie had it all the way and made a diving catch with 7:01 left.
Baltimore Ravens linebackers Jarret Johnson, front left, and Ray Lewis stop Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis after a short gain in the fourth quarter Sunday's game in Cleveland. Baltimore held Hillis to 35 yards rushing on 12 carries.Baltimore maintained the ball hit the ground. It lost the replay challenge.
The previous time a non-quarterback threw a touchdown for the Browns was Sept. 8, 2002, when Kevin Johnson connected with Quincy Morgan from 33 yards.
The Ravens cut the deficit to 7-3 on Billy Cundiff's 27-yard field goal with 13:35 remaining in the second quarter. Cundiff capped a 16-play, 80-yard drive that featured plenty of Ray Rice and lasted 8:26.
Minutes later, the Browns committed a turnover. Carr stripped Massaquoi after a short completion; Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain picked up the ball and returned it 9 yards to the Cleveland 20.
On third-and-5 from the 15, Flacco threw a dart through double coverage and into the hands of T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the back of the end zone. Cundiff's extra point gave the Ravens a 10-7 lead at 11:47.
Midway through the quarter, McCoy threw a medium-deep pass to the right that floated. Reed easily intercepted and returned the ball 20 yards to midfield.
The Ravens converted the third Cleveland turnover into three points, Cundiff's 40-yard field goal coming with 4:06 left in the half.
The Browns responded with a 10-play, 50-yard drive. Dawson drilled a 30-yard field goal with three seconds left for the 13-10 margin.
On the play before Dawson's kick, McCoy missed an open Robiskie in right corner of the end zone on second down. It was not an easy throw but one McCoy would like to have back.
Misuse of timeouts by the Browns' coaching staff cost its team another crack at the end zone.