Sunday's Week 8 win over the Ravens was a game of many firsts for the Browns.
It was QB Jameis Winston's first game as the team's starting quarterback, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey's first game calling the offense and, most importantly, the Browns' first home win of the season and first divisional win over the season.
The Browns offense had its best performance of the season, surpassing 20 points for the first time all year and the first time the team threw for over 300 passing yards this season in a 29-24 victory over the Ravens.
With under a minute remaining, the Browns were in need of an answer after the Ravens had regained the lead late in the fourth quarter. Winston took the snap on second-and-15, dropped back and sailed a deep ball to WR Cedric Tillman, who caught the 38-yard pass in stride for the go-ahead touchdown.
Huntington Bank Field erupted as the clock hit triple zeros and the Browns secured a victory in front of the home crowd for the first time this season.
Key moments
Jameis Winston shines in first start as a Cleveland Brown
QB Jameis Winston led the Browns on a scoring drive in his first start as a member of the Cleveland Browns, finishing the game with 334 yards and three passing touchdowns.
Four different Browns pass catchers had 60 or more receiving yards and five of Winston's passes went for 20 or more yards.
To start the game, Winston completed six of his eight passing attempts for 73 yards, including three completions for 16 or more yards. The Browns converted on third down twice before stalling in the red zone and settling for a field goal.
The Browns' scoring continued in the second quarter, after Winston led another lengthy drive to the red zone before missing TE Jordan Akins on a third-down pass. Hopkins hit his second field goal of the day.
After Winston fumbled near the end of the half, which led to a Ravens touchdown drive, the Browns offense found the end zone to start the third quarter.
Winston connected with WR Elijah Moore on third down for a 17-yard gain and found TE David Njoku in the end zone for the Browns' first touchdown of the day. Winston threw a low ball near the back of the defender and Njoku made an incredible catch to secure the score.
Winston's strong start continued in the second half, connecting with WR Jerry Jeudy for a 30-yard gain before finding WR Cedric Tillman for a 22-yard touchdown to bring the Browns' point total to 20 for the first time all season.
Tillman's big day continued at a key moment. Facing a one-point deficit with 59 seconds remaining in the game, Winston delivered a deep ball to Tillman, whose second career touchdown put the Browns on top for good.
Browns defense stands strong when it matters most
The defense allowed three touchdowns in four red zone trips for the Ravens but held strong with the game on the line.
After the offense put the Browns on top with under a minute remaining, the Ravens offense quickly drove to the Cleveland 24-yard line.
The Browns pass rush put pressure on Jackson, but the evasive quarterback was able to get the ball out on each of the following three plays. However, the Cleveland secondary covered the Ravens pass catchers well and all three attempts fell short.
The Browns' defensive strengths were evident throughout the game.
After a strong start to their first drive, the Ravens went for it on fourth-and-1 on the Browns 7-yard line. DT Maurice Hurst II wrapped up RB Derrick Henry behind the line of scrimmage and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah ensured he stayed down as the Browns forced a turnover on downs.
On the following drive, the Browns defense allowed Henry to take off for a 39-yard gain, bringing the Ravens to the Cleveland 20-yard line. However, two plays later DE Ogbo Okoronkwo and DE Za'Darius Smith trapped Jackson in a collapsed pocket and Okoronkwo brought Jackson down for a sack and the Ravens settled for a field goal.
The Ravens offense started to heat up at the end of the second half. After S Kyle Hamilton forced a fumble from Winston, the Ravens wasted no time finding the end zone before halftime as Jackson hit WR Nelson Agholar for an 11-yard touchdown to take a four-point lead into the second half.
The Ravens' scoring continued in the second half after Jackson led a six-play, 62-yard drive capped off by a 7-yard touchdown from TE Mark Andrews.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Ravens were driving again, but the Browns defense prevented them from putting points on the scoreboard. DT Shelby Harris tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage on second down and S Juan Thornhill pressured Jackson into forcing an errant pass on third down. K Justin Tucker was unable to connect on a 50-yard field goal and the Browns held onto their three-point lead.
Jackson finished with 263 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns and was sacked three times. Henry was held to 73 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Key stats and facts
- RB Nick Chubb passed Mike Pruitt for the third-most rushing yards in Browns history. Chubb finished the game with 16 carries for 52 yards.
- WR Cedric Tillman's third quarter touchdown was his first career touchdown. Tillman finished with seven receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown.
- TE David Njoku played his 100th career game on Sunday. He finished with five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Game highlights
After the Ravens made it to the red zone, the Browns defense stood tall on fourth down, stopping Derrick Henry short of the line to gain.
Jameis Winston's first pass of the day was a 20-yard completion to David Njoku that sparked a field goal drive in the first quarter.
David Njoku made an incredible catch for the Browns' first touchdown of the day.
Cedric Tillman's 22-yard touchdown was the first of his two-year career.
Tillman's second touchdown of the day sealed the Browns' first home win of the season.
Scoring plays
0:37 1Q | CLE 3 BAL 0 | Dustin Hopkins 28-yard field goal is GOOD.
11:51 2Q | CLE 3 BAL 3 | Justin Tucker 49-yard field goal is GOOD.
3:41 2Q | CLE 6 BAL 3 | Dustin Hopkins 33-yard field goal is GOOD.
0:27 2Q | CLE 6 BAL 10 | Lamar Jackson pass short middle to Nelson Agholar for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN
10:46 3Q | CLE 13 BAL 10 | Jameis Winston pass deep right to David Njoku for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4:42 3Q | CLE 13 BAL 17 | Lamar Jackson pass short right to Mark Andrews for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN
2:01 3Q | CLE 20 BAL 17 | Jameis Winston pass short right to Cedric Tillman for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4:55 4Q | CLE 23 BAL 17 | Dustin Hopkins 48-yard field goal is GOOD.
2:36 4Q | CLE 23 BAL 24 | Derrick Henry run short left for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
0:59 4Q | CLE 29 BAL 24 | Jameis Winston pass deep middle to Cedric Tillman for 38-yards, TOUCHDOWN. Two-point conversion attempt is NO GOOD.
What it means
The Browns snapped a five-game losing streak and won their first home game and their first divisional game of the season. They are now 2-6 on the season with a 1-1 record in AFC North games.
What's next?
The Browns' three-game homestand continues next Sunday as they host the 3-3 Los Angeles Chargers, who play the New Orleans Saints at 4:05 p.m. today.
