Yesterday on beautiful fall afternoon on the North Coast the home town team, donned in their throwback uniforms with numbers on the iconic orange helmet, put a shellacking on the Chicago Bears and made them feel like their historic baseball club, the Cubs. Justin Fields, number 15 overall in the draft out of Columbus was terrorized by Miles and Clowney for 9 sacks, a new team record. With only 47 yards of total offense and 6 points, Nagy and company need to reexamine the game plan going forward for Justin’s 2nd start. Although, they need not be concerned about the defense, which kept them in a game that felt completely one sided. Baker and company compiled 418 yards with almost 40 minutes in time of possession but failed on two 4th downs early; waiting until half to put up 6.
The return of Odell was welcoming and he showed he’s still got it. His chemistry with Mayfield was evident when a beautiful back shoulder grab was secured right on time. Peoples-Jones also had the same catch while tip toeing before the chalk, a thing of beauty from the 2nd yr. player; his growth is noticeable. With Jarvis on IR, the Browns continued their battle cry of, “Next man up.”
This became crystal clear when Kareem Hunt stepped in and change the tone of the game. Nick Chubb almost looked human in the 1st half with the Bears defense swallowing up #24 close to the line of scrimmage run after run. But Hunt, blasted out of the backfield like the rocket he is with 81 vicious yards on the ground leaping and pushing defenders to the turf on his way to a TD in the 4th quarter. Kareem showcased his versatility with 74 yards on 6 catches; screen passes are his bread and butter. The two-headed monster, run first Browns, wore down the Bears aggressive defense and secured the W at First Energy.
An honorable mention and perhaps overlooked, kicker, Chase McLaughlin, put up 14 points for the Browns; nailing a 57 yarder early to keep the mojo going. Kickers making kicks, Garret setting sack records, the return of Odell, the running game, blocking, and Baker looking like a general in command of the offense is something I can’t remember seeing out of Cleveland Browns team. Let’s not kid ourselves, it was Fields first start and their offense, sub-par but all in all a solid victory with everyone participating; finally there was a squad, a unit, a team to believe in once again. Kevin Stefanski’s old club, the Vikings, come to Cleveland this Sunday and the orange and brown will be tested.
Can the Browns hang with a potent offense?
Will they pound the ball and control clock?
Or get roped into a shoot-out?
One thing is for certain, the fans in the stadium will be amped and you bet the ones in their recliners will be yelling at the TV with the same intensity and emotion because as bad as the Browns have been, northeast Ohio has always been Believeland.
