Cleveland Browns find their mojo: 5 takeaways from win over 49ers
By Thomas Moore
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) runs the ball for 50 yards against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into the season the Browns were hoping to ride a strong running game each week to help take the pressure off of what was expected to be weak quarterback play.
It only took them 13 games, but the Browns finally delivered on that promise against San Francisco’s 28th-ranked rushing defense.
The Browns set the tone on the first play of their second drive when Isaiah Crowell broke through for a 50-yard run. By the time the Crowell hit the end zone five plays later, he and Duke Johnson had combined for 74 of the Browns’ 84 yards on the touchdown drive.
Crowell finished the day with 20 carries for 145 yards (a 7.3 per carry average) and two rushing touchdowns, while Johnson added 78 yards on 13 carries (a 6.0 per carry average). All together, the Browns, who came into the game averaging just a shade under 74 rushing yards per game, finished with 230 yards in their most-dominant rushing effort since last season’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It was very contagious, especially when the guys up front are playing the way that they are,” Johnson said. “Isaiah Crowell was finding a rhythm. Then I came in and found a rhythm, and we just kept it going back and forth.”
Next: The defense remembered they were playing Blaine Gabbert