Well, the Cleveland Browns are playing for pride on Christmas Eve, but there's not much to be proud of with the way their first drive ended. On third and short, Seneca Wallace threw a pass that was picked off by Ladarius Webb, and that gave the Baltimore Ravens possession. It was a tough break, considering Wallace had led the Browns into Baltimore territory, something that might be a rarity on Saturday.
Even worse for Cleveland, Joe Flacco immediately went deep to receiver Torrey Smith, and though it was incomplete, the referees called defensive pass interference, giving Baltimore a 60-yard penalty, setting them up at the nine-yard line. After an incomplete pass and a short run from Ray Rice, Flacco hit Ed Dixon for a five-yard touchdown pass to put the Ravens up 7-0 following an extra point.
Cleveland couldn't get anything done on the following possession, and were forced to punt. Baltimore immediately started driving again though, going from their own nine to the Cleveland 33 before Flacco was sacked by Ahtya Rubin for a ten-yard loss. Flacco would come back to pick up a few yards, and eventually, replacement kicker Shayne Graham booted a 48-yard field goal, putting Baltimore up 10-0.
The first quarter came to an end after a couple short gains by the Browns.