Cleveland Browns: Studs and Duds from thrilling Week 7 victory
By Greg Newland
Sunday was a rollercoaster ride for the Cleveland Browns
It was a slow start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as the defense gave up an opening drive touchdown and Baker Mayfield starter 0-for-5 with an interception. For just a few seconds it felt like the same old Browns were getting ready to show up. The ones who just couldn’t beat the teams they were supposed to.
The defense still looked suspect most of the game, but at least the offense was able to move the ball enough to help the Browns squeak out a win and move to 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in the division. It wasn’t a win that left fans feeling great about the team, especially the defense, but a win is a win.
After the beating the team took last week in Pittsburgh, this was another huge step proving that Kevin Stefanski has full control of the team. Even with losing Odell Beckham early in the game, the Browns put up 37 points and did just enough on defense to get a win.
The overreaction last week was a bit much. Yes, the Browns got beaten badly, but it still only counts as one loss. While the first two performances of the year vs. division rivals Steelers and Ravens didn’t go as planned, Brown’s fans need to remain optimistic as both teams appear to be Super Bowl favorites.
What is sad to think about is that Mayfield may be the fourth-best quarterback in the division. That isn’t a knock-on Mayfield, that just tells you how good the quarterback play is in the AFC North is currently. Cleveland now moves on to play a dangerous Las Vegas Raiders team, but first, let’s looks at a few “studs” and “duds” from the victory on Sunday vs. the Bengals