Browns 20, Bengals 18

I know it's been a rough season. It's been bad. But even in the worst years, there still are things to smile about. Personally, I was hoping for the twofer. I was hoping to see Myles Garrett break the single-season sack record, and I was hoping to see the Browns get the win.

I am not and will never be one of those guys who believes in tanking for Draft stock. That's just not how I'm wired. I'm competitive, passionate and fiery. I want to win. And if not win, at least fight like crazy, surprise some people and do my absolute best in the process. That's how I am as a man. I just wish the Browns had the same mindset more often. But they had it today! And when the NFL is a week-to-week business, sometimes that's what matters most!

Myles had that mindset today too, and now stands as the NFL's single-season sack leader!

Congratulations, Myles!

His 23 sacks this season surpasses Michael Strahan's 22.5 with the Giants back in 2001. I understand he had a 17th game to do it. But I really don't think that matters. You had sack leaders like Strahan in a 16-game season, and others when the NFL season was 14 games. Are we going to nitpick, discredit and hate on those guys too?

The point is, Myles Garrett cemented himself as the most dominant pass rusher and sack artist this year, and is already one of the best pass rushers in NFL history. I think he's eventually going to be enshrined as an NFL Hall of Famer and get his gold jacket in the future.

But for now, let's take a look at how the Browns got the job done in Cincinnati today. Let's check out the Keys to Victory!

A pair of defensive touchdowns

I rubbed my eyes and made sure I wasn't seeing things when these happened. Nope. They were real. When Devin Bush took an interception 97 yards to the house, and then Sam Webb had a 47-yard scoop and score, that put a huge grin on my face!

This was the first time the Browns had at least two defensive touchdowns in a game since 2022 at Houston, and the 15th time in franchise history. And for a team that hasn't been able to really play from in front very much this season, these were a couple tone-setters.

I just hope the defense sets the tone early a lot next season. In a game swung by momentum, plays like that can often mean the difference between a team being able to pin their ears back and come after people, and being forced to stay on the defensive and be reactionary.

I also hope this next key to victory shows up a lot next season. If it does, the Browns might just find their way back to what works. Especially with a young quarterback under center.

Quiet but steady running game

I truly miss Nick Chubb's best days, and I miss him. For most of my time as a Browns fan, this team struggled to find its identity, and in many ways still does. But I still firmly believe that when the Cleveland Browns are at their best and actually playing well, the running game is the backbone of that success. It's the core of a team that says, "We don't care about being flashy or sexy. We care about imposing our will on you, pounding you with body shots for 60 minutes, and stuffing the ball down your throat!"

Cleveland still has some work to do to get back to having a truly stout running game. But running for at least 100 yards as a team is always a good day. The Browns carried the rock 24 times for 118 yards, which comes out to 4.9 yards per carry. Solid. We're going to need a few games like that next year as Shedeur Sanders continues to grow if he keeps the starting job.

And speaking of Shedeur Sanders...

Game winning drive

Folks... I'm just going to say it: There is no amount of therapy in the world that can fix my brain or heart from the number of game-winning drives that the Browns have given up over my time as a fan. And every one has been painful.

I'd have more fun digging my heart out with a rusty spoon, getting root canals without anesthetic, or getting my fingernails and toenails pulled, than ever relive any of those again. Each one is a scar on my fragile psyche. The only thing that can fully heal them, is seeing what happened at the end of today's game, begin to become more and more consistent.

Instead of giving up game-winning drives, I would love to see the Browns start putting more of these together on a regular basis. I can't imagine having a clutch football team who can put a drive together when it matters most. But seeing what happened today makes me smile!

I have had a wait and see attitude with Shedeur Sanders. I still do. But what he did today gives me a little shining glimmer of hope for the future. He directed this offense like a pro, and marched the Browns down the field. He had 1:29 left on the clock to work with, and calmly and coolly led these guys like a good quarterback should.

The Browns didn't make a game-killing mistake, or shoot themselves in the foot with a dumb penalty. Shedeur Sanders and Co. went 40 yards in 10 plays, and set up redemption for a guy who was the scapegoat early on this season.

I'm so happy for Andre Szmyt today. That guy missed a pair of crucial kicks that let the Bengals escape earlier in the year. But he would not be denied a second time, as he drilled a 49-yarder as time expired to give the Browns the win! I'm sure his mother was watching from upstairs too! He deserves to be the incumbent for the kicking job going into next year. He's earned it!

And you guys deserve to end the season on a happy note! It's been a very, very hard year. But any time the Browns win, whether it's a shocking upset or a gritty, ugly, junkyard dawg kind of win, it makes me smile!

Thank you for riding the CLE-BUS with me this year! I hope we can get rolling in the fall, and see a lot more W's. Until then and as always...

GO BROWNS!

Statistical Leaders

Shedeur Sanders: 11-22, 111 yards.

Dylan Sampson: 10 carries, 32 yards

Cedric Tillman: 1 reception, 23 yards

Source

ESPN

Picture Credit

archyde.com