Browns 13, Packers 10

I was ready. I had the classic Cleveland saying ready in my back pocket for this one. "No matter what, Cleveland teams will get just close enough to break your heart. But don't worry. There's always next year."

Maybe we still will have to end up waiting for next year. There are 14 games left, and we do have a brutal schedule. But at least for today, we get to smile!

The Browns were dead in the water for 50 minutes and 20 seconds. But that last 9:40 was some Brownie magic, channeled straight from the Kardiac Kids themselves. Brian Sipe and Sam Rutigliano would be proud!

How'd Cleveland get the job done today? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!

Junkyard Dawg Defense!

A week after getting smoked on the road by the Ravens, the Browns defense had a return to form, sacking Packers quarterback Jordan Love five times. But most importantly, Grant Delpit picked off Love, which set up a one-yard touchdown plunge by Quinshon Judkins to tie the game at 10 apiece with under three minutes to go.

The Browns offense will continue to be a work in progress. But that defensive performance today will have to be replicated several more times this season. If the Browns want to compete for anything, Jim Schwartz will have to coach like he did to help the Eagles win the Super Bowl, and Myles Garrett and Co. will have to play like men possessed.

Going into the season, it didn't look like the Browns had much to hang their hat on. But if they're going to seriously compete or chase a winning season, the defense will need to lead the way over the final 14 games.

The Browns held Green Bay to 230 total yards of offense (149 passing, 81 rushing) and kept Cleveland in it just long enough until the offense finally put something together. And one of the big reasons the Browns got rolling offensively when it mattered the most, had a lot to do with a certain rookie running back!

Welcome to the NFL, Quinshon Judkins!

I'm just gonna come out and say it: It really hurts when the Browns don't have a running game. Our system is not flashy. It's not built to succeed when the quarterback throws it 40-45 times a game.

Even though we no longer have Nick Chubb or Baker Mayfield here in Cleveland, we're at our best offensively when we have a solid running game.

A solid running game can take the pressure off. And it also helps quarterbacks who are game managers like Joe Flacco. Being able to run the football allows the quarterback to take shots when they're available, and helps keep them out of trouble because they don't feel like they have to play "hero ball" and take everything on their shoulders. Running the football well helps them limit the possibility of mistakes. And it forces the opposing defense to stay honest, too.

Do the Browns have an ideal offensive system? No. But it's what we've had ever since Stefanski's been here. And in his first major NFL action, Quinshon Judkins showed flashes of why he might just be the new big running back in the Browns' offensive setup!

The 6-foot, 221-pound rookie bruiser out of Ohio State carried the rock 18 times for 94 yards (5.2 yards per carry). And he had three big running plays that were instrumental in helping the Browns score 10 of their 13 points. On the Browns' first scoring drive which led to a field goal, Judkins had great back-to-back runs. One of the runs was for 14 yards to get things rolling. The next one? A 38-yard burst!

And then of course, he had probably the biggest short yardage run of his football life so far, when he punched it in from a yard out to help Cleveland tie the game at 10 late. I'm glad he's finally a member of the team and showing what he can do!

But I'm even more glad the final impact player got a chance to show why the Browns chose him.

Redemption for Andre Szmyt!

Yes, I was very upset with Andre after Week 1 against the Bengals. I was one of those fans who said "cut him" in the heat of the moment when he missed a potential game-winning field goal against Cincinnati two weeks ago. My Irish temper showed its ugly face.

But I've never been happier for Andre to make me eat crow!

I both feel bad, and ecstatic for him! Kickers have it rough, man. But he obviously figured something out between the Cincy game and now. he figured out some way to get his mind right, focus, and boot not just one but two extremely clutch field goals.

I honestly think being a kicker is one of the most pressurized jobs in all of sports. Right up there with a baseball closer. It all seems like a mental game. If a kicker or closer isn't with it mentally, they're missing kicks and blowing saves left and right.

But if they're locked in, they can become automatic, regardless of the pressure. And I hope Andre Szmyt can lock in mentally and become a clutch kicker this season too. There will definitely be several more close games this season, and he's going to need to probably hit at least 2-3 more game-winners if the Browns want to turn things around, get on a run, and make some sort of push. Dustin Hopkins won at least three games for the Browns in 2023 to help us get to the Playoffs. Andre might have to do the same for us in 2025 if we go anywhere. He's got the first big game under his belt!

He booted a 35-yarder to get Cleveland on the board, and an insane 55-yarder to break the hearts of Cheeseheads everywhere! Way to go, kid! If I had a chance to vote for who should receive the game ball, Andre has my vote. He deserves it after a rough Week 1!

Next up, the Browns head north to Detroit to battle the Lions. Usually the two teams would meet regularly in the preseason for a fun little rivalry nicknamed "The Battle for the Barge." But when they clash next week, this one's gonna matter. Gotta get the job done!

Until then, celebrate tonight. And bask in the first Victory Monday of the season tomorrow, Dawg Pound! GO BROWNS!!!

Statistical Leaders

Joe Flacco: 21-36, 142 yards, INT

Quinshon Judkins: 18 carries, 94 yards, TD

David Njoku: 5 receptions, 40 yards

Sources

ESPN

NFL YouTube Channel

Picture Credit

Newsweek.com