The Cleveland Browns just keep winning. Even when they get off to slow starts, and even when it feels like they're a mistake away from playing themselves out of a game, Todd Monken's team keeps fighting and taking care of business.
While beating the 1-6 Tennessee Titans is no barometer to determine whether a team is an actual contender, Robert Saleh's team played its best game of the season, competing hard from start to finish and making plays on both sides of the ball.
Ultimately, the new-look Browns weren't going to be denied, and they held onto the top of the AFC North with their fifth win of the season. Considering that, let's talk winners and losers from this game in honor of the team's 5-2 record.
Cleveland's young playmakers gave the Browns offense a glimpse of its true ceiling
Winner: Quinshon Judkins
Judkins may have finally broken loose in this one. He was breaking tackles, making guys miss, and keeping the chains in motion — even breaking away for a 30-yard explosion and a couple of touchdowns.
Judkins averaged a whopping 5.6 yards per carry on 17 attempts for 96 yards. Even without that 30-yarder, he would've still averaged 4.1 yards per carry, which is significantly better than his season average. He also had an 8-yard reception in the game.
Winner: KC Concepcion
This was the Concepcion game Browns fans were waiting for. The rookie out of Texas A&M had over 100 receiving yards in the first half alone, doing plenty of damage after the catch with his twitchiness and ability to create separation.
He finished the game with eight receptions on 10 targets for 129 yards. He would've had at least 40-plus more yards and a touchdown if it weren't for a drop right in front of the end zone. Concepcion also had three carries for 23 yards.
Loser: Denzel Boston
As usually happens when a team is as stacked as the Browns, someone had to take a backseat, and it was Boston's turn in this one.
The second-round wide receiver had a tough day at the office. Despite drawing eight targets, he only came down with three receptions for 27 yards. He was roughed up and was the centerpiece of Robert Saleh's defensive game plan. He also failed to work back to the ball on Deshaun Watson's early interception.
Winner: Dylan Sampson
Sampson finally returned after his injury in the season opener, and it looked like he hadn't missed a beat. His elusiveness and mobility as a big-play threat open up way too many things for Todd Monken and his offense to ignore.
Sampson was his usual crafty self in this one, turning six carries into 45 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and breaking loose for a 19-yard gain. He also had three receptions on as many targets for 32 receiving yards.
Winner: Harold Fannin Jr.
Fannin saved his day after losing a costly fumble and getting off to a slow start in the first half. He made a big catch-and-run to set up the Browns' game-winning field goal, redeeming himself with that 36-yard explosion.
The second-year tight end has had an up-and-down season and hasn't been featured as often as expected.
But he'll deliver when his number is called. Fannin had six catches on nine targets for 96 yards against the Titans.
Loser: Andre Szmyt
Szmyt has been a boon for a Browns team that struggled with inefficient kicking for way too long. So we should give him a pass for this game.
This has, however, been the second consecutive game where he's missed a kick.
The Browns' kicker made 2 out of 3 field goal attempts and all three of his extra points, but he also had a costly miss. Also, none of his kicks were beyond 32 yards.
It's too early to be worried about the young kicker, though. He recently had a streak of 25 consecutive made field goals snapped.
Winner: Deshaun Watson
Watson is who he is, and he won't change at this point in his career. He'll alternate big plays with baffling ones, but he's the most confident player on the field whenever the clock is close to striking zero.
This was a mostly solid performance by the veteran. He stared down Boston on his interception, but he only took one sack and completed 25 of 36 passes for 308 yards. He also scrambled three times for 19 yards and a score.
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