A ugly win is better than a pretty loss. The Cleveland Browns played an ugly game against their AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium. Usually win the Browns play an ugly game, it results in a loss. Sunday is a different story.
Another week, another thriller.
And this time, we came out on top.
Highlights from #BALvsCLE: pic.twitter.com/gvfqQ3j627
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 8, 2018
Rookie place kicker Greg Joseph had his 37-yard game winning field goal attempt in overtime blocked at the line of scrimmage. Some how, some way the football still made it through the uprights with two seconds left. The Browns upset the Ravens 12-9 in overtime to improve to 2-2-1 on the season.
“It happened too quickly,” Joseph said. “Obviously, when you hear the sound of your foot and you hear a quick [thud] after it, obviously, it is not always the best result. It was awesome to see it go through and then hear the fans erupt.”
IT'S GOOD! pic.twitter.com/u9bRKoIoTD
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 7, 2018
The game winning field goal salvaged what was a not so special performance for the rookie kicker. Joseph’s third NFL game included a missed extra point and a game winning field goal miss from 55-yards away in the final seconds of regulation. Joseph did connect on a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter.
https://twitter.com/greg_joseph1/status/1049065995371986945
“I will never forget anything about this game,” Joseph said. “The low points or the high points, but I am happy to be able to deliver for this team. I am going to keep harping on the fact that I missed two. There is work to be done. I am going to put in that work, and you guys are going to watch me.”
Number one overall pick Baker Mayfield leaves FirstEnergy Stadium a winner in his first home start. Mayfield continues to show why he is the top pick in 2018. Mayfield finished the game 25 of 43 for 342 yards. In addition, Mayfield accounted for the only touchdown of the game, a 19-yard pass to Rashard Higgins. A first quarter interception the only low point in his first win as the starting quarterback. Mayfield is now 2-0 in games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
.@bakermayfield balled — so he got the call 📞@DeionSanders @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/NozXU8bXHH
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 8, 2018
“It is huge for confidence,” Mayfield said. “We have momentum. We just have to capitalize on opportunities.”
The Browns say good-bye to a trio of losing streaks with the victory. Cleveland wins their first game played on a Sunday since December 13, 2015. The Browns win their first game in the AFC North in three years. The last division win came nearly three years to the day, October 11, 2015 against the Ravens in Baltimore. Cleveland’s last win at home against Baltimore took place on November 3, 2013.
“We have to win within the division against what we think is one of the best teams in our division,” head coach Hue Jackson said. “It says something, but again, it means nothing if we do not continue to get better, keep growing and keep working at it so we have ways to go.”
Cleveland played its third overtime game in five weeks. The Browns tied the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one. Week four resulted in a heartbreaking loss to the Oakland Raiders. Now they have an overtime win. The third time is the charm.
“I haven’t been around you a long time, but one thing I know about you — you don’t flinch.”
Game ball #2 goes to @bakermayfield: pic.twitter.com/OADgPPUbmB
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 7, 2018
“I think we like it dramatic. That is for sure,” Jackson said. “Three overtime games in five games I have not been through that one before. This football team will fight. They will play. We do not do anything perfectly by any stretch of the imagination, but they work hard. They are becoming something.”
“It is tiring, but it’s worth it,” defensive end Myles Garrett said. “There is no feeling better than coming down to the wire, against a team like the Ravens and being able to get a win.”
“This overtime is much better because we won,” running back Carlos Hyde said. “Just like the other ones we’ve had, you have to go out there and do what you need to do to win. We have had opportunities and keep getting opportunities in these overtime games and we need to figure out a way to win and that is what we did today.”
“Another rollercoaster. Lots of ups and downs,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said. “We did things well. We did some things poorly. I think all phases stuck together, and that was the biggest part and the best moment.”
Scott Piker is the Cleveland Browns Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage.com. So follow him on twitter @ScottPikerSport
