Cleveland Browns: Week 2 grades in somewhat ugly win
By Greg Newland
![Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes for a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 18](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F16788479-850x560-163c4c584e7e633547c641513767385c1e588b1bb3fba00dc4782dfab8a70f56.jpg "Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes for a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 18")
The Cleveland Browns won an ugly game in Week 2, but a win is a win. See how the team graded out in their 31-21 home opener victory.
The Cleveland Browns got a much-needed win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, but it wasn’t necessarily in the fashion fans wanted to see. The first red flag was when Jarvis Landry was injured on the first series, and you could tell quickly it wasn’t just a tweak.
Then the Browns defense made Tyrod Taylor look like an All-Pro quarterback as he marched the Texans offense up and down the field. Cleveland’s offense looked great, but they had a fumble and an interception that halted two drives. Not to mention, Baker Mayfield getting injured on the tackle after his interception.
At the end of the day, the Browns got a 31-21 victory, but it wasn’t pretty for most of the day. Keep reading to see how each level of the Browns team graded out.
Cleveland Browns Special Teams: A
After the complete debacle in Kansas City, I would say the special teams rebounded quite nicely. There were no missed field goals or extra points, and Jamie Gillan managed to get all punts off without dropping the snap. It’s amazing the little things you take for granted until they don’t happen.
One thing that continues to impress me is the Browns kick coverage. First, Chase McLaughlin has been kicking the ball deep and not give many teams a chance on kickoffs. But also, coverage has been fantastic, and the Browns really fly to the ball. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a guy I always see flying down the field and making plays.
There was nothing crazy asked of the kicking game, as the kicker was four for four on extra points and knocked in a 30-yard field goal, but no news is great news on special teams.