Five weeks ago, the Browns were driving late in the fourth quarter in need of a score, facing a six-point deficit to the Giants. On fourth down, QB Deshaun Watson threw to WR Cedric Tillman over the middle of the field, but the ball fell from Tillman's hands and the Browns went on to lose the game.
On Sunday, in the Browns' Week 8 win over the Ravens, Tillman wasn't going to make the same mistake.
"My teammates and coaches were there for me [after the Giants game]. They said they trust me. They know I'm going to make that play. I got the opportunity again today and I wasn't going to do that. I knew I had to come through and I just tried to do that," Tillman said following the Browns' 29-24 win over the Ravens.
With just over a minute remaining in the game, the Browns trailed the Ravens by a point. QB Jameis Winston had led a 31-yard drive as the Browns approached field goal range. Instead of calling a short pass on second-and-15 to set up an eventual field goal try, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey called a shot play to the end zone.
Winston dropped back into the pocket and seven Ravens swarmed the offensive line. The line stood strong and gave Winston plenty of time to fire a deep ball to Tillman, who caught the ball in stride for a 38-yard touchdown.
"I knew I had to make a play. Jameis always says he's going to throw it; he's going to come back to me. We did that and we executed at the end," Tillman said.
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
While Sunday served as a breakout performance for Tillman, who scored the first two touchdowns of his career and finished with a team-high 99 receiving yards, his teammates and coaches never lost trust in the receiver.
In the Browns' Week 7 loss to the Bengals, Tillman led the Browns with 81 receiving yards, his career-high before Sunday's 99 yards against the Ravens. With an increased role in the offense after the Browns traded WR Amari Cooper, Tillman took advantage of getting more opportunities to work with the first team offense in practice.
"The opportunities weren't there, but knew we had a lot of trust in him when those opportunities came," head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game. "Jameis trusted him on that last play, great call by [Dorsey], and he got behind the defense and made a play."
Fellow WR Elijah Moore told reporters after the game that he has long admired Tillman's work ethic as the young receiver steps into a larger role on the field. Moore, who finished with eight receptions for 85 yards, said he was proud of Tillman as he continues to grow as a second-year player.
"I'm so proud of him," Moore said. "Cedric practices hard every single day, if you guys could see it. I know some of you guys do. He works his a-- off. It was a surreal moment for him."
Tillman's hard work in practice seemed to pay off as soon as the offense took the field on Sunday. On third-and-5 at the Baltimore 25-yard line, he made his first reception of the game – taking a short pass 12 yards for a first down to set up an eventual field goal.
His first touchdown came late in the third quarter, as the Ravens and Browns continued to trade leads. Once again facing third-and-5, Tillman ran a slant route across the middle of the field, caught a pass from Winston and surged up the middle of the field, breaking a tackle on his way to the end zone.
"It felt really good," Tillman said with a smile. "I have to come up with a better celebration, but we're going to work on it."
Tillman's contributions to the Browns' win on Sunday transcended the measurables found in the box score. Winston made sure to credit Tillman's blocking in the run game and his desire to play hungry.
But when it came to the offense's final play?
"[Tillman] showed up when it mattered most," Winston said. "So, I'm very happy for him."
