CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns served notice and silenced their critics Sunday in Nashville with an impressive 41-35 win over the AFC South leading Titans.
In addition to maintaining their historic pace for the expansion era and best record since 1994 through 12 games, Cleveland retained the top Wild Card spot in the AFC with the victory.
The Browns, who led by as many as 31 and scored a franchise record 38 points in the first half, completed a 4-game sweep of the AFC South this season.
Time to hand out a record number of game balls
Baker Mayfield – Welcome back on the bandwagon, there’s room for you. Mayfield’s record first half was the stuff of legends Sunday – 20 of 25 for 290 yards, 4 touchdowns and a rating of 154.6. He tied Otto Graham on the Hall of Famer’s birthday for the franchise record for TDs in the first half. Mayfield finished the afternoon with a season-high 25 completions and 334 yards passing. He’s the only QB in the NFL to throw 4 touchdowns in a single half and he’s done that twice this season.
Jarvis Landry – Landry caught eight passes for 62 yards, adding his second touchdown catch of the year. Landry has now recorded at least two receptions in 107 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NFL and the fifth longest streak in NFL history. Landry even drew a roughing the passer penalty after getting laid out while completing a 6-yard pass to Mayfield, his third completion of the season.
Donovan Peoples-Jones – The rookie from Michigan atoned for blowing up their opening drive with a drop inside the 5 that would’ve gone for a score in a big way. His double move left Titans cornerback Breon Borders looking for his shoes and resulted in an easy 75-yard touchdown. He finished with 2 catches for 92 yards.
Nick Chubb – Chubb churned out 80 yards to out-rush the NFL’s rushing leader and he punched in his seventh rushing TD of the season. It was Chubb’s 30th game with at least 50 rushing yards, only one back of Jim Brown’s 31 for most by a Brown in his first three years.
Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin – Baker Mayfield had all day to work behind the line Sunday thanks to superb protection up front. He was hurried or pressured on just 3 plays Sunday and the Titans registered just 1 QB hit. The Browns also out-gained the Titans on the ground 118-62.
Kendall Lamm – Lamm caught his first touchdown of his career on a tackle-eligible play action to Nick Chubb, fake toss to Kareem Hunt that saw him left by himself in the end zone that put the Browns up 17-0. Lamm became the first Browns offensive lineman to catch a touchdown pass since Shaun O’Hara on Sept. 23, 2001 against Detroit.
Myles Garrett – Garrett returned from his bout with COVID-19 in a big way finishing with a pair of tackles, a sack, tackle for los and QB hit. He now is up to 10.5 sacks this season. His 41 career sacks are the second-most sacks by a No. 1 overall pick in his first four years, behind only Bruce Smith (44.5). Garrett is one of only five players to have at least 41 sacks since 2017.
Sheldon Richardson – Richardson continues to play at a high level. He totaled 4 tackles, a QB hit and forced a fumble. His fourth down stop of Derrick Henry turned the tide in the game early and kept momentum on Cleveland’s side. Henry was limited to just 60 yards Sunday.
M.J. Stewart – The cornerback broke up a pair of passes and slowed the Titans’ second half comeback with an interception. Stewart also registered 3 tackles.
Kevin Stefanski – Our choice for NFL coach of the year, Stefanski continues to impress with his leadership, play calling, aggressiveness and ability to play to the strengths of his players and get the most out of them. It’s not easy standing by and going back to players that make critical mistakes but the faith Stefanski continues to show in them continues to be rewarded.
