Despite earning a win over a division opponent on Sunday, the Browns know that there is plenty more work to be done as they look to improve on their 2-6 record.
But a win certainly doesn't hurt.
"After that game, when the ball finally hit the ground, it was a great feeling. We haven't had (a win) in a while and I feel like today guys are in a lot better mood just because we finally got us a win," S Juan Thornhill said Monday after the Browns' 29-24 win over the Ravens. "And I think this is the perfect opportunity for us to take off and actually turn this thing around."
A lot happened before QB Lamar Jackson's final pass sailed over the arms of S Grant Delpit and the Browns' win became official. The final play, which took 13 seconds in real time, demonstrated the intense coordination required for a defense to counter a Hail Mary attempt from an All-Pro quarterback.
"Any time you're playing that offense and that quarterback – he's outstanding – it's going to be a challenge. And it's a challenge because he can hurt you with his legs, he can hurt you with his arm, obviously," head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game. "It was a scary final play."
On the game's final play, Jackson took the snap from the Browns 24-yard line. With three seconds remaining on the clock, the Ravens had no other option but to score a touchdown.
Jackson dropped back into the pocket and was met by DT Mike Hall Jr., who forced the quarterback to roll to his right. DE Za'Darius Smith met him nearly 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage, but once again Jackson escaped. Then, it was DE Ogbo Okoronkwo's turn to pressure Jackson, who pump faked and stepped by Okoronkwo before delivering a final shot to the end zone.
Meanwhile, on the backend, the Browns secondary prevented any of the five Ravens pass catchers from finding a hole to get open in the end zone. Delpit beat WR Zay Flowers to the ball, preventing any chances the receiver had at coming down with a catch.
"We just knew the game was on us. They had to drive that long field and score, so we knew that we didn't want it any other way, it's on us," Delpit said.
While the defense iced the win for the Browns, the offense – led by QB Jameis Winston's 334 passing yards and three touchdowns – put the Browns ahead with under a minute remaining in the game.
For Thornhill, Sunday represented a moment where the team played complementary football for one of the first times this season.
"We never felt like we could put a complete game together as a team. And I feel like yesterday it was just something different, you know? I don't know what it was, I couldn't really put my fingers on it; but I just feel like the offense, they put some great drives together. I'm just looking at the first quarter, I think the defense was only out there for one series. […] And then if you look at our special teams, guys were flying around out there," Thornhill said.
As the Browns look forward to their upcoming matchup against the Chargers, they know that they can't fall into complacency despite earning a hard-fought win in Week 8. The Chargers, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, are 4-3 and fresh off a 26-8 win over the Saints in Week 8.
Cleveland Browns celebrate postgame after a win over the Baltimore Ravens on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Running back Nick Chubb (24) and Tight end David Njoku (85) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Safety Grant Delpit (9) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Safety Grant Delpit (9) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Safety DÕAnthony Bell (37) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski after a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on October 27, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns won 29-24
Thornhill emphasized the team's 24-hour rule, meaning they would enjoy the win for 24 hours, watch the film from the game, note areas to improve and then move on.
"We've got to start focusing on the Chargers because, I mean, all of these teams that we have coming up are AFC opponents," Thornhill said. "And each one we can gain and each one we can win is just a better opportunity for us to make the playoffs."
LB Mohamoud Diabate, who saw an increased role in Week 8 with LB Jordan Hicks out due to elbow and triceps injuries and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah leaving with a neck injury, emphasized a message that has been shared from Browns players all season: focus on one week at a time.
"Don't get ahead of ourselves. Keep it one week at a time," Diabate said after the game. "We play the Chargers next week here. Stay focused on that and not look ahead. Don't look at the bye week, don't look at anything. Look at who we have coming in, we have the other Harbaugh brother coming in, so we have to take care of them."
