How long can these Cleveland Browns comeback wins keep going? Every week, Browns fans ask that question, and every week those same fans keep answering with a smile and a grin, saying, "They can't keep this up... or can they?"
This season has been a memorable one already for Cleveland fans. Their team came back again and won on another game-winning field goal. This time it was against the Tennessee Titans, 27-24.
Let's discuss this week's grades by position group, as each week it seems the grades are getting better with each victory.
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson did it again. He helped orchestrate another Cleveland comeback. It's the fifth time he's worked his late-game magic to spark a win. He also ran one in for a touchdown on a nifty quarterback keeper.
Watson did throw one interception early in the game, and because of that mistake, his offense went down 14-0 in the first half. If he hadn't played poorly from the start, he might have earned an A.
Grade: B+
Running backs
It was a good day for the Cleveland running game. Quinshon Judkins finished with 96 yards on 17 carries. His rushes included a 30-yard burst, too. Several of Judkins' other carries were strong 7- or 8-yard rushes. He finished with a 5.6 yards-per-carry average.
His running back teammate, Dylan Sampson, returned in this game after being out with an injury this season. He was a good addition and a counter to the bruising Judkins. Sampson had several bursts that went for double-digit yards. He finished with 45 yards gained on six carries. He also had three receptions for 32 yards that really helped the offense keep the chains moving.
Grade: A
Wide receivers/Tight ends
This was the KC Concepcion game that Browns fans were hoping to watch.
The rookie was catching everything in the first half. He had eight catches for 129 yards at the break. He didn't catch another pass from the third quarter on, but he had a few big rushes that went for big gains in the second half. He had one jet sweep that he carried for 18 yards that helped set up the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
This was also the reemergence of tight end Harold Fannin, who came up big, especially in the second half. He had the biggest play of the game in the closing seconds, with the clock running out when he took a short pass from Watson and rumbled 36 yards to put his team in position for the eventual game-winning kick.
Grade: A
Offensive line
The group protected Watson all afternoon, and they helped the run game gain some momentum. The unit helped the team gain 491 yards of offense on the day and collect 26 first downs. The running backs had 183 yards behind solid line play.
Grade: A
Defensive line
The front four of the Browns' defensive line put pressure on Titans quarterback Cam Ward during the game, similar to previous game efforts. However, they did have trouble stopping the Tennessee run game. Running back Tony Pollard finished with 129 yards on 25 carries. He was slicing through the Cleveland defense, especially early in the contest.
The unit played better in the second half of the game and limited Pollard from getting too many more big chunk plays.
Grade: B
Linebackers/Defensive backs
This unit has continued to be the best unit for the Browns week in and week out. They weren't perfect early in this game, as the Browns went down 14-0 in the first quarter. However, they got things going the rest of the way.
Both linebackers, Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams, continued their strong seasons as they had another 18 tackles combined.
Cornerback Denzel Ward had an interception in the game, his second of the season. Rookie safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren had some nice defensive plays, as did teammate Grant Delpit.
Grade: B+
Special teams
This grade might have been a bit lower on the day because Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt missed a field goal. However, he came back with another game-winner to give the Browns another victory.
It was the third game-winning kick by Szmyt this season.
Grade: A
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