Browns studs and duds Week 3: Amari Cooper goes off in redemption win

The Cleveland Browns knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. Here were the studs and duds from the 29-17 win over their divisional rival

Week 2 can finally be put to rest. The Cleveland Browns responded to one of the more epic meltdowns ever by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Week 3.

Having the short week was a blessing for them since they were able to stop all the noise — and they were able to hand a divisional rival a loss in the process.

Here we look back at the game and identify who stood out as studs and duds in the Browns second win of the season.

Browns studs and duds Week 3

Stud: David Njoku, TE

In Weeks 1 and 2, David Njoku was rather quiet. He made up for that in Week 3. Njoku was open all day and entered the half with seven receptions on seven targets for 69 yards. He also had the second touchdown of the game, catching one from seven yards out to put the Browns up 13-7. That tied a career-high in receptions for him and he still had a second half to play.

He didn’t make as much noise but then again, Cleveland spent the final 30 minutes primarily running the ball. Njoku ended up with a new career high still, with nine receptions on 10 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Dud: Mike Priefer, Special Teams Coordinator

There’s clearly an issue with the Browns special teams unit. They had some problems with their punt returner and this week, they finally decided to leave him inactive. Demetric Felton wasn’t on the field as Chester Rogers replaced him. While he was fine, Jerome Ford had a blunder on a kick return.

Before the half, Ford ran the ball out of the end zone and was tackled at the 12. Had he let the ball go for a touchback, they would have had 13 more yards. That drive ended on downs at the Pittsburgh 31, but perhaps they take the three points if they’re closer. Those points weren’t needed in this one, but if the game stayed closer that decision could have been costly.

There was also a late penalty on the Steelers’ final possession. When going for a 39-yard field goal, the Browns were called for too many men on the field, moving them five yards closer before attempting the kick. Topping it off was another onside kick where the ball wasn’t secured and bounced around for a moment.

It went out of bounds and wouldn’t have mattered since Pittsburgh was offsides but the mistakes keep happening under Priefer.