Browns Win At Last Second: Three Game Balls Given Out
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Atlanta Falcons today on a last second field goal. It was a game that the Browns seemed to dominate in most areas but also did everything in their power to lose the game. There will be timing for looking at all the problems that were seen today, we are looking at you Brian Hoyer, but for now we celebrate a victory. Cleveland fans struggle a bit to focus on the positives but we are going to do our best to make sure we do as much as possible.
Game Ball #1
With the Browns releasing Ben Tate the team showed the confidence they had in the two rookie backs, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. Crowell started and took advantage of his opportunity. West actually got two more carries than Crowell, 14 to 12, but Crowell’s hard, aggressive running clearly was better. Crowell set a career high with 88 yards, a 7.3 yards per carry, and two touchdowns. His hard running and ability to put his foot in the ground and go north-south was key to keeping the Browns in decent down and distances. Crowell shows why many thought he was the most talented back in the draft.
Game Ball #2
Kyle Shanahan
The Browns offensive coordinator did not call the perfect game but he did do a great job of getting the offense going. The Browns had 162 yards rushing on 29 rushes to go with the 313 yards of passing offense. Shanahan passed when the Falcons were thinking run and ran when the defense was expecting a pass. His creativity was also seen in where and how the Browns run. They continue to be the only team to run the toss run that is an inside run. Shanahan did a great job of putting Josh Gordon in position to make an impact in his first week back.
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Game Ball #3
The play that Haden made to intercept the Matt Ryan pass to Julio Jones was secondary perfection. Haden ran the out route right with Jones and then undercut the route. He then was able to high point the ball and keep the taller Jones from breaking up the pass from behind. Haden was flagged for holding Jones on the play that Tashaun Gipson was injured, but that flag was questionable at best. Jones got a touchdown catch but Haden was able to play him to at least a draw. Jones only caught 5 of the 13 targets at him. Credit Haden for that.
Who gets your game ball for the Browns win today?