The Cleveland Browns and their defense came to play for a second Sunday in a row as they shut down the Vikings offense for their third win in a row.
Many storylines headed into the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings game today including the fact that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was headed back to familiar territory where he’d been an assistant coach with the Vikings for many years prior. Well, that familiarity seemed to help as the Browns hung on and won 14-7.
Stefanski again went for several fourth-down conversations that weren’t made. I don’t understand Stefanski’s love affair with the need to go on these fourth-down plays all the time. The game came down to the final play and the Browns defense, who played well again for a second week, secured the win as the Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins couldn’t convert on the last play of the game.
It was a game where the Browns controlled the clock with many drives but couldn’t convert and quarterback Baker Mayfield had quite honestly a horrible performance. The Browns offense couldn’t get anything going in the second half, outside of an important late-game 53-yard field goal by Chase Mclaughlin.
Cleveland’s defense played well again, getting good pressure on the quarterback and finally paid off with a late-game interception by cornerback Greedy Williams. However, the Browns offense and Mayfield’s inaccuracy stalled the offense again but the defense secured the win on the last play.
All in all, it left Browns fans questioning what they have so far this season. It’s definitely difficult to win games on the road, so getting this win is big nonetheless. The Browns now are 3-1 and have that going forward to their next road game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Let’s discuss a few stars of the game and some glaring concerns too.
Cleveland Browns defense played well
When the game started with the Vikings marching down the field on a 75-yard drive, I had my concerns pop back into my head about exactly what we had with our defense this season. Was defensive coordinator Joe Woods back on the hot seat?
But I was pleasantly surprised the rest of the game as it played out. The Browns defense only allowed that first Viking touchdown through the rest of the game. They started pressuring the Viking quarterback and forcing the Viking offense into a rut that they never got out of.
Considering the Vikings were averaging 400 yards and more offensively, it was a very solid day for the defense. Browns defensive end Takk Mckinley got to the Vikings quarterback for a nice sack in the second half. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah was again everywhere defensively getting tackle after tackle.
Greedy Williams had the nice interception and that Browns front four continued to get pressure on Cousins and the Vikings. Considering Cousins season so far and his hot start the Browns defense should be commended.
Cleveland Browns offense, and Mayfield, struggle
The offensive line struggled again with keeping Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield clean during the game. Offensive lineman Jedrick Wills, still struggling with that ankle injury, had multiple penalties called on him. The offensive line had several calls called on them and didn’t give the team that needed consistency.
What was really noticeable all game was Mayfield, who seemed rattled throughout the game, throwing passes away, high and just not accurately. Mayfield finished 15-of-33 for 155 yards. It was really a scary game for Mayfield who seemed to go back in time with some of his decisions. That confident player was lost for most of the game.
The Browns opening series that went eight minutes went south after Browns coach Kevin Stefanski continued his questionable play-calling as the Browns couldn’t convert a fourth down in the red zone. On the Browns second drive, the offense got bailed out on another fourth and goal as there was a holding call on the Vikings in the endzone. The Browns finally made good and scored and took the lead 8-7.
Late in the game, the Browns and Mayfield had several opportunities to run the clock, get first downs and win going away yet Mayfield’s inability to make throws really hurt the team today. It was magnified on Mayfield’s final passing attempt as he threw behind a wide-open wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. that could have secured the victory. However, it gave the Vikings that final attempt. Fortunately, the Browns defense stepped up big in this game.
Cleveland Browns running backs to the rescue
What saved the offense again was the running of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt who took more control in the second half. Chubb had a series of runs of 12, 13, 9, and 8 yards and several more that established that control.
In the first half, Hunt had several nice runs and catches for big yards to help the Browns take the first-half lead. Hunt’s nice 33-yard scamper helped give the Browns good field position to extend the lead to 11-7. Chubb finished the game with 21 carries for 100 yards.
Hunt had 14 carries for 69 yards. He also caught two passes for 17 yards. Combining for nearly 200 yards of offense is again that gift that keeps on giving for the Browns. They needed every bit of these two teammates’ efforts today.
Chase McLaughlin again
Wow, the savior for the Browns for a second week is none other than Chase McLaughlin who converted on two very important field goals of 48 and 53 yards. The second kick of 53 yards was important at the time to give the Browns defense a bit of cushion. It’s so nice to have a kicker now that the Browns can count on.
Now the Browns will travel westward and play the Chargers next weekend. Hopefully, the Browns defense keeps playing so well and Mayfield finds his confidence again.