Another Couch rally keeps Browns alive

Cleveland's postseason hopes rely on the Steelers losing tonight in Tampa.
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Thrust into the most harrowing situation of his NFL career, Tim Couch responded with a two-minute display of poise and skill worthy of a quarterback who's won a dozen playoff games.
Couch, in his fourth year with the Cleveland Browns, has never played in the postseason. But he now knows how it feels.
With the Browns' playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Couch directed a 92-yard drive in the waning minutes to rally Cleveland to a 14-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Operating without any time-outs, Couch took over the offense on his own 8 with 2:18 remaining.
He promptly took the Browns down the field in eight plays, capping the workmanlike drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mark Campbell with 29 seconds to go.
Final touch
Phil Dawson's conversion put the final touch on yet another Cleveland comeback -- and the most important victory of Couch's young career.
"That's what a quarterback wants to be known for, bringing his team back when everything's against you," Couch said. "That's what you have to be able to do in this league. I've had my share of comeback wins, and I just want to keep that going."
For that to happen in the playoffs this year, the Browns (8-7) will need some help.
First, Tampa Bay must beat Pittsburgh tonight. Then, if Cleveland defeats Atlanta next week and the Ravens beat the Steelers, the Browns will win the AFC North.
That's the only postseason route for the Browns, who have suddenly become Tampa Bay fans.
"I'm going to call [Bucs quarterback] Brad Johnson and tell him to play the best game of his life," Couch said.
The young, overachieving Ravens (7-8) remain alive in the wild-card chase, but need an almost incredible sequence of events to reach the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
Baltimore has Couch to blame for that.
When he jogged onto the field before the final drive, Couch felt the adrenaline that comes with being in a playoff game. It is a sensation he hopes to experience often in the future.
"We went out in the huddle and we knew our season was riding on that drive. It's either you go down and score or you go home," he said.
The key moment came when Couch connected with Jamel White with a 28-yard pass, and a late hit by Chris McAlister moved the ball to the 13.
"You've got to be smart. ... It's unfortunate to do that at that time," Ravens coach Brian Billick said.
Wide-open Campbell
Three plays after the penalty, Couch found a wide-open Campbell in the middle of the end zone.
"This team has been in those situations all year long and we've come out on top quite a few times," Couch said. "As long as you have the chance to score and get back in the game, you've got to always believe."
It was the Browns' 11th game that came down to the final minute. One of those came at home against Baltimore, when the Ravens held on to win 26-21 after an injured Couch was forced from the game and booed mercilessly by Browns fans.
"He was horribly crucified in the first Baltimore game," Browns coach Butch Davis said. "To come back today and go 92 yards with no time-outs and score the game-winning touchdown, I think he deserves an awful lot of credit."
The victory was even sweeter for the Browns because Ravens owner Art Modell took his franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore before the 1996 season.
The Browns' hopes of reaching the playoffs now may depend upon the Ravens, who need a victory over the Steelers to salvage a .500 season.
"You have to be professional," Billick said. "You come back with energy, just like these guys practiced all year long, and you go see if you can beat the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Notes
Cleveland has converted 8-for-10 fourth-down tries this season.
Anthony Mitchell's interception was Baltimore 23rd of the season, tying the franchise record set in 2000.
The Ravens lost for the first time this year when leading at the half.
Baltimore fell to 11-1 in games in which Lewis runs for 100 yards, including the postseason.