Head Coach Kevin Stefanski:
Opening statement:
"On the injury front, (LB) Mack Wilson is being evaluated for a concussion. Other than that, nothing to report.
"A great team win. I told the guys all week and reminded them again today, we were going have to compete for 60 minutes. That game took all of 60 minutes. We made it interesting there at the end, which we should not do. (RB) Kareem Hunt showing great hustle to get the guy down there at the end. Really, I should start with our defense. (Defensive coordinator) Joe Woods and the defensive staff did an outstanding job putting a plan together, and then the guys, they played it. To get three takeaways versus a team that does not give the ball up was really impressive. We held them to two for 10 on third down. Really, really proud of those guys, but I think it starts with Joe and the defensive staff. Offensively, the numbers, I thought we were efficient. There are always plays left out there that I feel like we can make. Special teams going seven for seven in field goal and extra point and then hands team coming through for us a couple of times there. We knew it was going to be a 60-minute affair, knew it was going to be physical and knew that we were going to have to get contributions from O, D and K, and we did."
On if the first half went as well as the team could have expected outside of one drop and a couple of penalties:
"Yeah, it really did. I give credit to the players. We talked all week about our work during the week was going to be a determining factor in how we play, and the guys worked their butts off all week. They understand what a good operation looks like and what efficient football looks like, and I was proud of how they played."
On what he hopes the win will do for the team's confidence:
"All of these games, they are hard. Winning is hard in this National Football League. There are a bunch of good teams, and they are coming at your week in and week out. I think our guys understand that we are just looking to go 1-0 each week, and there is so much work that goes into going 1-0."
On the momentum swing after stopping the Titans offense and Titans RB Derrick Henry on their first drive of the game:
"That was huge. That was outstanding. The guys, we talked all week, that is a tough, tough task to try and slow that player down. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Derrick Henry. The guys came through by being gap sound and gang tackling. He is an outstanding back."
On how QB Baker Mayfield played today:
"I told him he is going be doing some ball security drills there after that fumble. He is the same guy during the week that he is on gameday. He grinds. He is making plays left and right and in the pocket and out of the pocket. We had some unfortunate drops there in big moments and the numbers would be even better. He is playing at a high level, and he has to continue to do so. We are counting on him, and he knows that."
On how Mayfield is playing now compared to the beginning of the season as Mayfield evolves in learning the offense:
"I do not think of it that way. I just think all of our guys have to continue to get better, and we have to help them as coaches to put them in position to succeed."
On DT Sheldon Richardson making multiple big plays in the first half:
"Sheldon plays very, very hard. On Sundays, you see him flying around. He is an emotional leader for us. I am really excited about how he is attacking blocks, getting after the offensive line and trying to penetrate. He is doing a nice job for us."
On the Browns playing with five DL early in the game:
"That is our job game to game to put together plans that defend the opponent. Again, I just go to Joe and the entire defensive staff put together a really sound plan, and the players executed it."
On the decision to throw the ball early in the game:
"We are going do whatever it takes to win. We are looking for the right play at the right time, and then to the players' credit, they are executing at a high level."
On how long the pass play to T Kendall Lamm has been in the playbook:
"That was installed this week, believe it or not. Kendall did a great job. The guys again understood the finer points of that. Kendall, I would like to see him high point it next time go up and get it (laughter)."
On WR Donovan Peoples-Jones responding with a 75-yard TD catch following a drop earlier in the game:
"Guys are going to drop the ball. Guys are going to miss throws. You are going to miss a block. I am looking for the perfect game. I am going to make that call as I did today. You have to really just move on from those. He moved on, we moved on and knew he was going to make a great play there."
On Peoples-Jones delivering in big moments this season:
"He has delivered. You think about that double move there, that was repped with (WR) KhaDarel (Hodge) during the week. For him to know what to do, know how to do it and execute it at a high level, it really speaks to how he prepares. (Pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach) Chad O'Shea does an outstanding job with that group."
On when the Browns determined the gameplan for the Titans:
"The impetus of our gameplan start on those Mondays and Tuesdays. We get together as a staff, and we talk about what we needed to do this week to get this win versus that opponent. We felt like we had to be able to run it and be able to throw it, and just put together a plan that our guys can execute and execute at a high level with a good amount of tempo and understanding of what they are doing. As coaches, sometimes we try to scheme up like crazy, but when you just let the guys go and you let them play free, they are able to make plays."
On if the Titans' T eligible play helped inspire him to call the play to Lamm:
"It did not, but just felt like that was a good play versus that scheme."
On the Browns OL giving Mayfield quality protection and time to pass throughout the game:
"That is a big deal when you are talking about having a precise passing game and then you are talking about the quarterback delivering balls in tight windows. You are going to need to set your feet, and the line by and large did a nice job there of giving Baker time. That is a good team. I really have a ton of respect for their coaches. They threw multiple looks at us, but the line in particular blocked well."
On if he noticed any drop in energy from DE Myles Garrett, who was playing for the first time since being on the reserve/COVID-19 list:
"No, I did not see any drop of energy. We had three ends out so he was playing a lot. I know his wind is only going to continue to get better. You definitely feel him when he is out there. They are going to devote a running back to chip him or a tight end to chip him. It was great to have him out here."
On if he has a sense of what Browns fans are feeling now with a 9-3 record, understanding the pandemic limits interaction at this time:
"Obviously, we think about the fans a lot. I wish they were in FirstEnergy Stadium, and we wish it was a different year; it is not. We feel the support in the community. I see the flags flying all over. We are hoping that we are putting a team out there that they can be proud of because they are obviously very close to our thoughts and all of what we are doing."
