Somewhere, Brian Sipe and Sam Rutigliano are smiling. And I'm still coming down from an absolute thriller. The Cleveland Browns just notched their second winning season in the last four years, as they came back from 10 points down, and scored 13 unanswered to beat the Bears! The Spirit of the Kardiac Kids is alive and well in Cleveland!
I know football is an emotional, passionate game. But I don't know if there are any other teams in the league who can put their fans through the entire emotional spectrum faster than the Browns can. For most of the afternoon, I was saying stuff that would make Bob Knight blush. But after that amazing touchdown catch by Amari Cooper, the offense roared to life, one thing let to another, and the rest is history. How did Cleveland get it done? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!
Joe Flacco: Righting the ship
Joe Flacco quite possibly had both his worst and best game as a Cleveland Brown in the very same day. He threw three interceptions, including a pick six. But when the smoke cleared, his final stat line was 28-44, 374 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
I'm still worried about the Browns struggling to get the running game going. I agree with Browns postgame analyst and former player Tyvis Powell. He thinks we'll eventually wear out Joe Flacco's arm. He's thrown 40+ passes in all three of his starts.
But at least for now, Joe got the job done. After being turnover-prone all game, he went 11-13 in the fourth quarter for 212 yards and a touchdown. When he had to make throws, he made them. And the next Key to Victory made plays when they absolutely had to as well.
Clutch Defense
These are undoubtedly some of the ugliest Browns wins I have seen in recent memory. None of them have been pretty. But I would take a thousand extremely ugly wins over one pretty loss.
And a big reason for this latest ugly win, was a strong bend-but-don't-break effort by many in the Browns defense. This team's dealing with injuries everywhere. But Myles Garrett and Co. still managed to step up, and get the job done. As a unit, the Browns defense sacked an elusive Justin Fields three times, hit him seven times, totaled 11 tackles for loss, and knocked down eight passes. Players like Dalvin Tomlinson and D'Anthony Bell in particular, set the tone for the day, and filled in admirably for their banged up teammates.
Tomlinson was in the Bears' backfield for a pair of BIG tackles for loss late in the game. And backup safety D'Anthony Bell, filling in for the injured Juan Thornhill, intercepted a pass from Justin Fields on the final play that was intended for Darnell Mooney. If Mooney had caught it? It would have been certain doom for the Browns, and we're all mad about falling to 8-6. But Bell grabbed the ball as soon as it bounced out of Mooney's hands, and slid down just outside the end zone. Game over. Browns win.
This defense may no longer statistically be the best like they were early in the season. But their ability to make clutch plays in crunch time is something that has stuck with them all year. We saw it again today. In spades.
The Browns coaching staff
Okay, some of you might be chuckling at that heading. But hear me out: We are at the point in the season, where the best teams find ways to win. Whatever the cost. And in the Browns' current situation, they're an extremely hurt/injured team.
Any ordinary team would have fallen apart weeks ago. We've seen it happen to several promising Browns teams in the past. Most notably in 2014 when the Browns lost Alex Mack for the season, and they slid from 6-3 to 7-9 to end the year.
But somehow, this team is staying together. The 2023 Cleveland Browns have a mental toughness and fortitude that is extremely rare in today's game. And the reason for that is Kevin Stefanski and his staff. I may not always agree with some of the decisions or play calls he makes. I'm a fan. It happens.
But there is something he is either doing, or saying, or teaching, that gets these guys to continue buying in. Week after week. No matter what their injury situation is. They're fighters. Junkyard Dawgs. He has instilled a certain mindset into them. And it's working. That's what good coaches do. They inspire their men. They are like generals, rallying their troops to victory during tough battles.
Kevin Stefanski is a leader of men. And I'll say it right here: If the Browns make the Playoffs, he deserves to stay in Cleveland for the next 2-3 seasons. At least. He's earned an extension. He has become the first Browns coach to lead this team to multiple winning seasons since Marty Schottenheimer.
Let that sink in. This is uncharted territory. And for as bumpy as this season has been, I hope and pray that we finally find some stability under him. Thank you, Coach!
But for as sweet as this win was, Cleveland still has three games left in the regular season. Next up? A Christmas Eve clash against the Houston Texans in the Lone Star State. But until then, enjoy another Victory Monday, Dawg Pound! GO BROWNS!
Statistical Leaders
Joe Flacco: 28-44, 374 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs.
Amari Cooper: 4 receptions, 109 yards, TD
David Njoku: 10 receptions, 104 yards, TD
Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated
Picture Credit: lineups.com