I was waiting for it. I was waiting for this team to break my heart. I was already forming an article in my head about despising moral victories, but still being proud of the way my team fought right to the bitter end. I had everything ready to go. I was sad, but had resigned myself to the fate of every Browns fan in games like this. This team will get just close enough to break our hearts. It’s usually our lot in life.
I don’t know what’s worse: Getting blown out by the best team in the league like everyone expected, or giving an absolutely fantastic effort…only to fall short. Both of them are like ripping your heart out with a rusty spoon. They both hurt. I was preparing to take my weekly dose of sadness and suffering. I was prepared for the rest of the league to laugh at us for falling short. Again.
But a miracle happened today, as the heavy underdog Browns stunned one of only two undefeated teams left in the NFL. Cleveland, a 9.5-point underdog, shut down a San Francisco 49ers team that looked nearly invincible through five games. I know football is a game. But I could swear somebody upstairs finally gave us a break. My goodness…
How’d they do it? I’m not entirely sure. I’m still processing this one. I am absolutely stunned. But I’ll try to put it into words. Here’s this week’s Keys to Victory!
Contain the Niners offense
I know the Browns had a stout defense. But they did just enough to win this one ugly. They made life miserable for the league’s hottest offensive unit. The Niners were going for quite an impressive streak: If they had won against Cleveland and scored more than 30 points, they would have matched the 2021 Buccaneers for the longest streak of 30+ point games to start a season, at six straight games. But Jim Schwartz’s defense held San Francisco to just 17 points. The irresistible force met the immovable object and was stopped dead in its tracks. Absolutely unbelievable…
The Browns made life miserable for Brock Purdy and the Niners. The Dawgs got after Purdy, sacking him three times, registering six hits on him, and racking up five tackles for loss on the day. Purdy was 10-0 coming into this one as a starter as well. Mr. Irrelevant has looked like a worldbeater ever since last season, and I hope he has a fantastic career. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ecstatic about what the Browns did to him today!
Cleveland also shut down CMC, Christian McCaffrey, the Niners’ electric running back who is a jack of all trades. Aside from ripping off a big run that set up San Francisco’s first touchdown of the day, McCaffrey was bottled up, only carrying the ball 11 times for 43 yards before he struggled to deal with an oblique injury.
Dustin Hopkins is MONEY!
I still hope Cade York figures his issues out and has a long career in the NFL. I don’t wish to see him fail. But Dustin Hopkins showed exactly why the Browns traded for him. He wasn’t perfect. He shanked one early. But he made four of five field goals and the extra point on the Browns’ lone touchdown of the day.
I would also argue that his clutch 50-yarder to put the Browns in position to win it late, was even bigger than his game-winner. If he misses that one from 50, we’re not even remotely having this conversation. But no matter which way you slice it, Hopkins was HUGE today. He scored 13 of the team’s 19 points. Would Cade York have done all that? Likely not.
Phil Dawson was in the building today. And while Dustin Hopkins has a long way to go before he cements himself as a potential Browns legend, I know he made Phil smile today. Anyone who bashes kickers needs to sit down and be quiet. Especially after what #7 just did.
Play through adversity
There’s still a long way to go before we find out where the Browns will ultimately end up for 2023. There are 12 games left. with no bye week. But I tip my hat to them for not folding. They do need to execute better. A lot better. Especially down the stretch if they have any hopes of making the Playoffs. This game was uglier than I am with bedhead and a four-day beard!
But fighting through questionable calls, injuries, and shutting down the best team in the league takes guts, heart, fortitude, and just a downright stubborn refusal to quit. Nobody in the NFL world expected the Browns to win this one. Heck, most Browns fans including myself, didn’t expect them to win this one.
But they did it with all those qualities, and turned in a gritty performance that represented Cleveland with pride! And I’ll tell you this: Being 3-2 feels a TON better than being 2-3 after taking a beating!
Up next, the Browns travel to Indianapolis to face a Colts team that just took one on the chin in an ugly loss to the Jaguars. I usually try to take things day by day and week by week. But Cleveland not only can beat Indy, they probably should. Getting to 4-2 would be absolutely amazing considering what this team has gone through in the early part of the season!
But for now, let’s all bask in this one. The Browns turn in one of the gutsiest performances in years, and pull off the biggest upset in the NFL since 2010! Cleveland was also 9.5-point underdogs against the Saints that year, and shut down the defending Super Bowl Champs in the Big Easy. I remember watching that game in my dorm room as a first-semester freshman at Kent State. And I went just as crazy back then as I did today!
Enjoy this one, Dawg Pound. Breathe easy. Relax. Allow yourselves to have fun. Crack open an adult beverage if you need to. I know I certainly will. But above all, be happy! We’re 3-2 on the season after one of the most unexpected wins I’ve ever seen!
GO BROWNS!
Statistical Leaders
PJ Walker: 18-34, 192 yards, 2 INTs
Jerome Ford: 17 carries, 84 yards
Amari Cooper: 4 catches, 108 yards
Source: ESPN
Picture Credit: rji.missouri.edu
