Week 15 instant reactions: Cleveland Browns win ‘ultimate revenge’ game
By Joel W. Cade
The Cleveland Browns came into SNF playing the ultimate revenge game
The Cleveland Browns came into Sunday Night Football with playoffs and revenge on the line. The game has been billed as a “revenge” game for former Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens who ended up calling the plays for the New York Giants after offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was ruled out due to Covid-19.
Former Browns quarter Colt McCoy was also starting for the Giants as normal Giants QB Daniel Jones was battling multiple injuries and could not go. The Giants also have former Browns safety Jabril Peppers and guard Kevin Zeitler.
The Browns themselves were not without “revenge” narratives. Tight end David Njoku was benched by Freddie Kitchens last season while wide receiver Rashard Higgins was is Freddie’s dog house for reasons that are still not clear. Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon was a part of the Browns-Giant trade before last season. Jedrick Wills has a revenge motive due to the fact that the Giants passed him up in the draft.
With so much exchanging of players and coaches, it is pretty clear that any game the Browns play in can be considered a revenge game. Cleveland has fired so many coaches that former Browns coaches are all over the NFL. The Browns have had so much turnover with their roster that former Browns are all over the NFL.
It’s simply time to let the revenge game narrative go. It is played out. Are we going to start calling every game with a former Brown in it a revenge game?
That said, there was one moment in the game that is worth discussing as a revenge moment. This moment occurred toward the end of the first half.
With five minutes left in the first half the ultimate revenge moment presented itself. The Browns, in full anti-Freddie moment, decided to run the clock down. They scored a touchdown with 21 seconds left in the half.
This was a total slap in Freddie Kitchen’s face who constantly tried to score twice before half. Freddie almost single-handedly lost three games last season by trying to score twice before half when simply running the clock down before half.
One special thing happened in this game. The Browns has two drives against the Giants that went for 95 yards. That is right, the Browns drove 95 yards down the field for a touchdown twice against the Giants. That was the first time that occurred this season.
Overcoming adversity
Cleveland also overcame some adversity as the injury bug tried to limit their offensive game plan.
On the second play of the game, guard Chris Hubbard suffered a knee injury — which is concerning since he was already playing for an injured Wyatt Teller. Rookie center Nick Harris came in to play right guard for the rest of the game. After an early struggle, Harris settled in and played well the rest of the game.
Baker keeps shining
Baker Mayfield had another spectacular day, throwing for 297 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. He looked to be in complete control hitting his targets with accuracy.
Bend but don’t break
On the defensive side, the Browns recorded only one sack throughout the game. Too much will be made of this over the next few days. The Giants protected their quarterback by throwing almost entirely quick passes. The Browns rush did not have time to get to McCoy because the plays were designed for the ball to be out in under 2 seconds. Nonetheless, some commentators will take this as a sign the Browns are overrated.
What we should take from it is that the defense surrendered yards, but put the clamps on near the end zone. And that’s progress.
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The revenge game is overplayed. Moving forward, the revenge game narrative is dead.