Cleveland, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – If there’s one person who might know the lottery numbers, it’s probably Rashard Higgins.
Higgins, who had just 3 catches for 48 yards entering Sunday’s game, caught possibly the most important pass of the season, and he's apparently clairvoyant too.
“It felt amazing,” Higgins said. “I told Odell the whole day that I had a dream that I scored. I didn’t say I scored like that on the game-winner, but I told him I scored. It felt great.”
Higgins hauled in a 7-yard touchdown catch from Mayfield with 1:44 remaining in the fourth quarter that gave the Browns a 19-16 win over the Buffalo Bills.
“He came in and said he had a dream he was going to score,” Beckham said. “He said he had a dream and it’s just amazing. I look in the end zone, I see the ball go, and I was like, damn he scored like he said. He did it. I think that goes with visualization and those things and he came up big for us in a big time situation.”
Mayfield was unaware of Higgins’ premonition.
“He did not tell me that,” Mayfield said, almost in disbelief.
The catch helped end a 4-game losing streak, marking just the third time out of 20 losing streaks of 4 or more games since 1999 they’ve been able to stop the bleeding before it reached 5.
Jarvis Landry, who caught a 24-yard pass to get to the 7 on that final drive, couldn’t believe Higgins’ dream actually came true.
“Listen, he came in here earlier today and said ‘I had a dream that I scored’. I was like ‘Man, what are you talking about’, and he said ‘I’m telling you I had a dream that I scored.’ I’m like ‘alright whatever,’” Landry said. “I just talked to him. I’m still in awe. He’s a guy that [is a] true testament. He’s been hurt a couple weeks. He’s been battling and getting on the field and makes a hell of a play right there – a game-winning touchdown. What a story.”
Higgins has had an interesting year.
After a knee injury sidelined him for 4 games, he was active against Seattle, but did not play. There have been multiple stories about why that was since from head coach Freddie Kitchens and Higgins himself, who now refuses to talk about what went down.
A source told 92.3 The Fan 2 weeks ago that Higgins was supposed to play in that loss to the Seahawks but didn't when his number was called. Kitchens initially tried covering for him but was dismayed when Higgins told reporters he didn’t know or understand why he didn’t play prompting Kitchens to say Higgins’ story may change from what he initially told reporters when pressed on the matter.
The Athletic reported this past week that in fact was what went down.
Hopefully Sunday’s catch wipes the slate clean.
It sounded like it when Kitchens was asked about the receiver after the third win of the year.
“Hig just needed to stay the course,” Kitchens said. “I think he is getting back healthy. He has been healthy, but he is getting back to himself per se. He was there where we needed him. He came up big for us. It all comes down to being where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there and how you get there is supposed to be dictated by what they do. We need to be consistent in that, and Hig is getting more and more consistent in doing that.”
Higgins’ absence left fans flummoxed and frustrated.
Some might argue Mayfield too.
“I don’t miss him anymore,” Mayfield said. “He caught a touchdown. He is back. Red carpet was open.”
Higgins rolled it out just in time and he might have saved the season in the process.
“It feels great,” Higgins said. “We kept telling each other all week that we have to get to 1-0. We have to do it fast. What a great way to come out and beat Buffalo at home and get the 1-0. We have to keep winning and get on a roll fast.”
