CLEVELAND -- A few thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens' 23-21 win against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium:
What it means: As the Ray Rice aftermath continues to swirl around the team, the Ravens were able to overcome their road problems and pull out a comeback win. Justin Tucker's 32-yard field goal as time expired won the game for the Ravens. This marked the Ravens' first AFC North road victory since they won at Pittsburgh in November 2012. The Ravens (2-1) have now won for the 12th time in 13 meetings against Cleveland, which allowed them to stay within one game of the division-leading Cincinnati Bengals (3-0).
Comeback Flacco: Joe Flacco delivered his 20th game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. The key play was his connection with Steve Smith on a 33-yard pass to the Browns' 13-yard line with 44 seconds left in the game. Smith beat Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden on the outside. The Ravens' winning drive went 37 yards on six plays. Flacco finished 19-of-31 for 217 yards.
Stock watch: Falling -- strong safety Matt Elam. The first-round pick had the worst game of his short career, getting beaten deep and missing tackles. Elam allowed passes of 43 and 70 yards. It was a recurring problem for the entire secondary, from Asa Jackson to Chykie Brown to Darian Stewart.
Pitta injured: The Ravens lost one of their best weapons in the passing game in the second quarter, when tight end Dennis Pitta was carted off the field after going down without being hit. It looks like an injury to his right hip, the same one he had surgery on last year. Pitta is among Flacco's favorite targets in the red zone and on third downs.
Game ball: Rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro. In a game when Bernard Pierce was scratched with a thigh injury, Taliaferro made sure no one missed the starting running back, delivering 91 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries. He showed good vision in hitting the holes and finished off runs. It's amazing that Taliaferro didn't have one carry in the first two games of the season.
What's next: It's Steve Smith week. The Ravens wide receiver gets his much-anticipated reunion with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
