NFL: Unbeaten Ravens blow past winless Browns 34-3

BALTIMORE — John Harbaugh did his best coaching before the Baltimore Ravens even took the field against the Cleveland Browns.

Somehow, Harbaugh convinced his players that the winless Browns could actually pull off an upset. He stressed the importance of treating this game as if it was tossup, and insisted that a complete performance was necessary for Baltimore to remain unbeaten.

Taking that notion to heart, the Ravens gained control from the outset Sunday and cruised to a 34-3 victory.

"They understood this game for what it was and they took care of business," Harbaugh said. "And they did it right out of the gate."

Baltimore (3-0) ended Cleveland's first drive with an interception, then converted the turnover into a touchdown with less than five minutes elapsed. It turned out to be all the points Baltimore needed to beat the punchless Browns (0-3).

"Coach Harbaugh put in our heads that we've got to out and start fast and finish strong," said Ravens running back Willis McGahee, who scored on touchdown runs of 7 and 15 yards. "Right there, we sent a message to the Browns."

Joe Flacco threw for a career-high 342 yards to help the Ravens more than justify their role as a two-touchdown favorite.

"That's what you have to do as an NFL team. You can't take anybody more light than the other guy," Flacco said. "Cleveland had two losses and had a lot to play for. We knew that, so we had to make sure we came out ready to go from the beginning."

After Baltimore held the Browns to 78 yards while building a 20-0 halftime lead, Cleveland coach Eric Mangini pulled quarterback Brady Quinn in favor of Derek Anderson. The switch did nothing to turn around the fortune of a team that has been outscored 95-29 this season.

"I thought that at that point D.A. might be able to give us a spark. That's what I was hoping to accomplish coming out of halftime," Mangini said.

Quinn went 6 for 8 for 34 yards and an interception. Anderson, who lost his starting job to Quinn last year, was 11 for 19 for 92 yards and three interceptions.

"I was a little rusty. It's been a while since I've been out there," Anderson said.

Mangini wasn't ready to decide who will start next week against Cincinnati.

"We're going to look at it," he said. "I'll make the decision early (this) week."

The Browns have scored one offensive touchdown in their last nine games dating back to last year.