Boldin scored 3 TDs, Ravens overcome Hillis and Browns in 24-17 victory

Boldin, Flacco carry Ravens over Browns 24-17

BALTIMORE — Anquan Boldin made himself right at home in Baltimore with a sensational performance against the Cleveland Browns.

Boldin caught eight passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns, and the Ravens rallied to a 24-17 victory Sunday.

After tossing a career-high four interceptions one week earlier in a loss to Cincinnati, Joe Flacco went 22 for 31 for 262 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception after committing six turnovers in his first two games.

Flacco’s favorite target was Boldin, playing in his first home game after coming to Baltimore (2-1) in an offseason trade with the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did Boldin reach 600 career receptions quicker than anyone in NFL history, but he caught TD passes of 8, 12 and 27 yards.

The last one, with 9:13 left, gave the Ravens a 21-17 lead. Billy Cundiff added a 49-yard field goal with 5:29 to go.

Peyton Hillis ran 22 times for a career-high 144 yards and a touchdown for the Browns (0-3). Hillis also caught seven passes for 36 yards.

Seneca Wallace, subbing for the injured Jake Delhomme, went 18 for 24 for 141 yards and a score.

Cleveland trailed 14-10 in the third quarter when Hillis burst through the left side on a 48-yard run. He was overtaken by Tom Zbikowski, who threw Hillis down while both were out of bounds for a 15-yard penalty.

Josh Cribbs followed with a 19-yard run out of the wildcat formation. Then, on the initial play of the fourth quarter, the Browns got their first points in the second half this season: a 1-yard touchdown pass from Wallace to tight end Benjamin Watson.

But the Ravens rallied behind Flacco, who was coming off the worst game of his three-year NFL career.

On Flacco’s first throw, Cleveland safety T.J. Ward stepped in front of Derrick Mason on the sideline — and let the ball slip through his fingers. After Baltimore went three and out, there was a smattering of jeers as the offense left the field.

The Browns then held the ball for 12 plays, the last one a 38-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.

Baltimore answered with an 85-yard drive, culminating with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Boldin. It was the 600th career catch for Boldin, who reached the mark in 98 games — four games quicker than Marvin Harrison.

After a Cleveland punt, the Ravens moved 93 yards in 10 plays to take a 14-3 lead. Flacco went 5 for 5 for 75 yards on the drive, including a 12-yard TD pass to Boldin.

Just before halftime the Browns became the first team to score a touchdown against Baltimore this season. Soon after Hillis peeled off a 25-yard run, he rumbled in from the 1 to bring Cleveland to 14-10.

The Ravens missed a chance to pad the margin early in the third quarter when a 51-yard field goal try by Cundiff hit the left upright.