Browns Week 12 studs and duds: David Njoku rises to the occasion

Stud: Myles Garrett, EDGE

When the Browns needed a play on defense, Myles Garrett rose to the occasion.

Throughout the day, he was fighting to get after Tom Brady, which isn’t an easy task for anyone since Brady releases the ball quicker than any other quarterback. Garrett did have a half-sack during regulation but it was his play in overtime that stood out.

On third-and-nine from their own 39, Tampa Bay was looking to extend their second overtime drive but Garrett had other plans. He burst through the line and sacked Brady for a four-yard loss. That forced a punt and led to Cleveland securing the win.

It was a clutch play for No. 95 who continues to rack up the sacks during one of the better seasons of his young career.

Stud: Martin Emerson, Cornerback

With Greg Newsome out, Joe Woods said he trusted rookie Martin Emerson to cover Mike Evans. And Emerson was up to the challenge as he made sure Evans didn’t take over the game, holding him to 31 yards on two receptions.

Cleveland traded their first-round pick to Houston in the Deshaun Watson trade and then sent them their second during the draft. That meant they didn’t choose anyone until Round 3, which is where they landed Emerson.

The Mississippi State product has been everything they could have hoped for, and more. He’s big, physical, and confident while also possessing enough athleticism to stick with any wideout. He rose to the occasion when thrust into the spotlight against the Bengals and did it again this week against Tampa.