Although he didn't start at outside linebacker ahead of rookie Courtney Upshaw for the second consecutive game, veteran Paul Kruger did contribute.
Kruger used a crisp swim move to get past rookie right offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz for his first sack of the season.
Jamal Lewis recognized
The Ravens inducted former Pro Bowl running back Jamal Lewis into the Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony.
"I'm so humbled to be here," Lewis said. "I'd like to thank the entire Ravens organization for this special honor."
Lewis was introduced by Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.
"On behalf of Steve Bisciotti and the Ravens organization, I want to welcome Jamal," Newsome said. "Anytime he touched the ball, we thought he was going to score."
A former NFL Offensive Player of the Year and first-round draft pick who rushed for 2,066 yards during the 2003 season, Lewis is the Ravens' all-time leading rusher with 7,801 yards and 47 touchdowns.
Lewis joined the Baltimore Colts' Hall of Famers, running back Earnest Byner, late owner Art Modell, defensive end Michael McCrary, linebacker Peter Boulware, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and kicker Matt Stover.
McCrary and Boulware were among the former Ravens who attended the ceremony.
Ogden's step toward Hall
On the same day Lewis was inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor, Ogden, his former teammate, learned that he was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2013. Ogden is among 13 first-year-eligible modern-era candidates to be included in a class of 127 nominees.
From that list, the Pro Hall of Fame Selection Committee will choose 25 candidates to advance as semifinalist nominees in late November. That list will be whittled to 15 by a mail ballot in early January. The final voting for the class of 2013 will then be conducted by the Hall's selection committee at the group's annual meeting Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl.
The first draft pick in Ravens history, Ogden played 12 seasons for the Ravens from 1996 to 2007, and was considered one of the best tackles of his era. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection who was inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor in 2008.
Other nominees with Ravens ties include the late quarterback Steve McNair, former backup quarterback Randall Cunningham, running back Priest Holmes, tight end Ben Coates, offensive lineman Erik Williams, defensive tackle Sam Adams and Modell.
Haden's absence exploited
The Ravens capitalized on the hole in the Browns' secondary created by top cornerback Joe Haden's four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.
With Haden out, Flacco went after cornerbacks Dimitri Patterson and Sheldon Brown.
The Browns played a lot of soft Cover 2 schemes, which Flacco picked apart during a drive capped by an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith. Flacco darted a spiral between the defensive backs for the touchdown. He completed all four throws on the drive for 87 yards.
End zone
Outside linebacker Sergio Kindle was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive week. Kindle last played against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording one solo tackle. However, the 2010 second-round draft pick has been deactivated for three of the Ravens' first four games.
Wide receiver LaQuan Williams, offensive tackle Jah Reid (strained right calf), cornerback Asa Jackson, tight end Billy Bajema and defensive linemen DeAngelo Tyson and Bryan Hall were also inactive.
awilson@baltsun.com
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Baltimore Sun reporters Jeff Zrebiec and Edward Lee contributed to this article.
