Week 4 instant reaction: Cleveland Browns hang on to win big in Dallas

The Cleveland Browns threw a coming-out party in Dallas

The Cleveland Browns accomplished today what previously had taken two and a half years, they won three games.

Cleveland is officially an NFL team again. After years of toiling at the bottom of the league, after going 1-31 over two seasons under former head coach Hue Jackson, after being the butt of every NFL analyst joke, the Browns have finally broken through and joined the ranks of legitimate and competent NFL teams.

The Browns started fast. But in shades of years past, they immediately gave up 14 unanswered points to go down 7-14. The all too familiar feeling of collapse was looming in the air.

But quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offense decided to flip the narrative. Better said, the defense decided that collapse would not be the narrative. Defensive end Myles Garrett got the party started with his third strip-sack of the season.

The defense put the offense in good field position. The offense capitalized on excellent field position with touchdowns. This is the definition of complementary football.

Cleveland did not look back. The Browns were able to execute something that evaded them all of last year. To end the first half, the Browns got the ball. They then ate up the last 4 minutes of the half. The half ended with the Browns kicking a field goal to go up 31-14.

The next half the Browns doubled up. They got the ensuing kickoff of the second half and marched down the field to score a touchdown. At that point, the Browns were up 38-14. The Browns were able to coast through the rest of the game for the win.

Baker haters might have to eat a little crow today. For the second week in a row, Mayfield did not throw an interception. However, Baker haters can be emboldened by the fact that the still looks nervous in the pocket. He still bailed out the back of the pocket when there was no pressure coming.

Cleveland tried to make it interesting toward the end of the game. At one point Dallas had cut the lead to three points, 41-38. But Odell Beckham Jr put the game away with a 50 yard reverse for a touchdown.

Most importantly Kevin Stefanski has been able to do in four games what it took Hue Jackson two and a half seasons to accomplish. He has led the Browns to three wins.

On a side note, Stefanski might want to have a conversation with defensive coordinator Joe Woods. Better defensive play calling is needed at the end of the game.

It’s not perfect. There is a lot of room for improvement. But it is a new era in Cleveland. NFL football is back.