4 Cleveland Browns with rising stock after beating Ravens
By John Suchan
The Cleveland Browns used the outstanding skillsets of several key members of the team whose stock is up to beat the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.
The Cleveland Browns finally beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday 24-22. It’s the first time the Browns have beaten them in over two years.
This was a game of two halves where Cleveland built on their lead in the first half going up 24-3. But the Ravens slowly marched their way back in the second half and ultimately got to the last possession to try and drive for the win. However, the Cleveland defense came up big in that last Ravens march to victory and was able to force Baltimore to turn it over on downs — thus securing the win.
The Browns certainly aren’t going to give this win back. In the NFL, a win is a win and now they have a better spot in the division and the playoff chase. Many players certainly helped in the win and we’ll look at those now as their stock continues to rise. Let’s begin with the Browns best defensive player and hero from Sunday’s game, Myles Garrett.
Cleveland Browns rising stock No. 4: Myles Garrett
The importance of Myles Garrett to this Browns team can’t be understated. In the game Sunday, his one big play was the difference. On a play late in the first half, Garrett was finally able to edge around the offensive lineman and as the Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley went back with the ball to throw a pass, Garrett timed the strip of the ball perfectly. The ball then trickled right into his hands, as he victoriously took it 15 yards to pay dirt.
It was the first touchdown in Garrett’s career. He’s had a few other close attempts at scoring in previous games but this time the play counted. In a game during his rookie season, he took an interception back for a touchdown in the snow against the Chicago Bears, but it was called back because the Browns were offsides.
This big play on Sunday gave Garrett his 15th sack on the season which is now the new franchise record for a single season. It leaves him only five sacks away from catching former linebacker Clay Matthews for most sacks all-time in Cleveland. I look for Garrett to get that record by season’s end. His tenacity and fight around double teams will continue to be a treat for fans to watch as the season wraps up.