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When the Ravens fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars (technically, not actually), 22-20, in Week 10, they became the first team in NFL history to have their first nine games decided by eight points or fewer – one score.

When Baltimore beat the Rams, 16-13, they extended that streak.

They extended it once again, to 11 games, with a 33-27 win in Cleveland on Monday night.

This season has been filled with narrow, devastating defeats. But the Ravens are starting to see the silver lining from those gut-wrenching losses.

“I would definitely believe that through the course of the season, our young guys are being trained on what it takes to win a football game in the National Football League, and that’s going to be a good thing going forward,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said.

Due to ever-growing list of injuries, the Ravens have been forced to give young players a lot more time than they normally would have seen.

Kamar Aiken is now the team’s No. 1 wide receiver after Steve Smith Sr. (Achilles) went down. Rookie fourth-round pick Javorius Allen is the lead running back following Justin Forsett’s season-ending broken arm. Tight ends Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle have gotten extensive time in part because Dennis Pitta (hip) remained sidelined.

On the offensive line, second-year left tackle James Hurst and second-year center John Urschel have started seven games each and left guard Ryan Jensen has started back-to-back games after playing in just one (on special teams) in his previous two years.

On defense, rookie fourth-round outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith has stepped in for Terrell Suggs (Achilles). Defensive end Brent Urban played in his first career game Monday night.

Harbaugh said those players are getting an education, forged through tight battles each week.

“At what point in time as a young player do you realize how hard it is to win a game in this league?” Harbaugh said. “Maybe you come into a program like this as a young player, and you … there’s certainly an expectation to win, but maybe you don’t realize how much it takes to win a football game.”

Over the past two weeks, some of those young players have made plays at the end of the game that have made the difference.

When Forsett left the Rams game early, Allen stepped up to produce more than 100 total yards. His 12 yards on the Ravens’ final drive put kicker Justin Tucker in position for a game-winning 47-yard field goal. Also in the fourth quarter, Aiken broke free in the back of the end zone to catch a 3-yard touchdown pass.

In Cleveland, the Ravens’ reserve offensive line didn’t give up a single sack on new starting quarterback Matt Schaub. Allen churned out 84 more total yards and hauled in a 13-yard touchdown. Aiken caught a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Urban got the blocked field-goal attempt to win the game.

“It felt great – a great environment to get a win, a win with my team,” Allen said. “You never know. You’ve got to play down to the last second. Anything can happen.”