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Good Stat
The Cleveland Browns overcame a 14 point deficit in the Fourth Quarter for the first time all year.
Deshaun Watson did something today in Baltimore, Baker Mayfield never did, he led the Cleveland Browns on a thrilling game winning drive to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 33-31. Watson overcame a poor first half to go perfect in the second half as he tossed a touchdown pass in a half that saw him go 14 of 14 passing for 134 yards, including the game winning drive. Watson finished the day with 213 passing yards, the touchdown toss and the heart of Cleveland Browns fans everywhere.
The story of the day however, was redemption. The Browns placekicker Dustin Hopkins missed an extra point for the first time all season, that kept the game at 31-30 and gave the ball back to Baltimore with a chance to run out the clock. The Browns defense held up, and then Hopkins found redemption by nailing a 41 yard field goal to win the game. Hopkins buried 4 field goals on the day and kept the Browns in it, before winning it for them too!
Good Stat
Remaining schedules favor Cleveland between the two teams.
The Browns are only a half game behind Baltimore right now in the division, and the Ravens still have to play the 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Cincy, LA Chargers, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh. Really, the only gimme left for the Ravens is their game against the Rams at home.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is through the toughest stretch of their schedule, and their remaining games are against the Bears, Jets, Jacksonville and Pittsburg at home. They also travel to Cincy, Houston, Denver and the Rams. Houston just beat the Bengals today, but Watson will be playing for revenge in that one.
if you ask me, I think it favors the Browns finishing 6-2 in their final 8 for an overall of 12-5 record.
Good stat
The Browns are 8-4 in games Deshaun Watson starts at quarterback.
Hey, say what you want about the guy, and clearly the Houston win last year and the Colts win this year had nothing to do with him, but still, a record is a record and 8-4 is a good one. You don’t hear the Steelers whining about the way Pickett wins?
Bad Stat
14 points on opening drives for Baltimore.
The Ravens scored touchdowns on both of their opening drives to start halves today. A 39 yard Keaton Mitchell touchdown run, to make it 14-0, and then a 40 yard touchdown pass to OBJ to start the second half, making it 24-9 Baltimore, and pretty much putting the game away. The Browns need to be better prepared to start halves and games in general.
Good Stat
Kareem Hunt has now scored in 5 straight games
10 Plus minute drive, 17 plays and 75 yards capped off with the Hunt touchdown and Watson 2 point conversion to cut the Ravens lead to 24-17 when the Browns were on the verge of losing all faith, and badly in need of momentum after Baltimore started the second half scoring with OBJ.
Bad Stat
1 Fumbled Punt Return by James Proche , the former Baltimore Raven.
After back to back Myles Garrett sacks on Lamar Jackson to start the fourth quarter, the Ravens were forced to punt, this gave the ball back to Cleveland only down 24-17 with a chance to tie or take the lead, instead, they muffed the punt and the Ravens took over inside the Browns 20 ready to score and put the game away. They did score, making it 31-17 but that is also when the Browns began the near miracle comeback!
Good Stat
David Njoku catches 6 passes for 58 yards
The Browns still need a bonafide second receiver to go with Amari Cooper who had 6 catches for 98 yards himself. However, if they keep getting max production from Njoku on those screens and slants, that makes a big difference and moves the chains. It was another solid effort from the tight end despite the drop.
Bad Stat
Two 3rd down penalties in the endzone, bury the Browns for good.
After remarkably stopping the Ravens on two separate third downs that should have forced the Ravens to kick a field goal to start the fourth quarter, the Browns had both stops called back by insanely stupid holding calls on the secondary. This was right after the muffed punt that nearly cost Cleveland the game. Admit it, you wanted to run to social media with the take of “same old Browns”.
Good Stat
The Browns punted zero times in the second half
The Browns had the ball four times in the second half, and scored 24 points with three touchdowns and then the game winning field goal.
Good Stat
The Browns held Baltimore running backs to only 65 yards.
While Cleveland is still struggling to stop the RPO this year, they continue to dominate traditional running approaches and today was another classic example of that, as Baltimore had no chance of running out the clock.
Good Stat
Cleveland Browns defense caused two turnovers, and picks off Lamar Jackson for the game changing touchdown.
This one is pretty simple folks, when the Browns got the Greg Newsome pick six, you just had the feeling that something special was happening, despite the ensuing missed extra point. These two turnovers mixed in with 3 sacks and constant pressure for the Cleveland Browns changed everything for Cleveland from the second quarter on.
Good Stat
Jerome Ford ran for 107 yards on 17 carries including huge carries on the final drive.
The combination of him, Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong is working. It is that simple.
