CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – This one went exactly how you would expect a Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tyler Huntley quarterback matchup would go.
Huntley bested Thompson-Robinson easily as the Dolphins quarterback threw for 225 yards plus a touchdown and had a 13-yard touchdown run in Miami’s 20-3 victory Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.
Here’s a few Brownie Bites from Week 17.
Ridiculous thoughts – Loss No. 13 is in the books. This $300-plus million roster joins the 2000 and 2015 teams to lose 13 games in a season. “It’s not pretty at all,” safety Grant Delpit said. “It’s pretty ridiculous, as a matter of fact. Given our expectations coming into this year. We have to fix it in the offseason and come back ready to win.” The 1999 expansion team lost 14 games. The 2016 Browns lost 15 and of course the 2017 team went winless at 0-16. “We went to the playoffs last year. We brought back the majority of the team. And this year we have three wins,” left guard Joel Bitonio said. “Our own expectations were high. And we have not lived up to that. There’s a lot that goes into that, but yes, I would say we have not met our expectations.”
20 below – The Browns, who have scored 14, 7, 6 and now 3 points over their last four games, fell to 1-12 when scoring less than 20 points in a game this season. They are 2-1 when scoring 20 or more.
Draft watch – As of Sunday night, the Browns hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The top four worst teams are all 3-13. The strength of schedule tie breaker gives New England the edge for No. 1 followed by Tennessee. The Giants are behind Cleveland in the fourth slot.
Shown up – Andrew Berry kept Thompson-Robinson after training camp and cut Huntley, who had little problem showing what an awful decision that was Sunday. Stats aside, Thompson-Robinson put on the worst quarterback performance of the season, and one of the all-time worst since 1999. Thompson-Robinson continues to look lost. His throws are frequently too late and off target, even on basic reads to the flat or backfield. “We’ll look at it, and it’s not for lack of effort,” head coach Stefanski said. “He’s putting in the work. We’ll look to help him in any way we can to score some points.” Thompson-Robinson committed two more turnovers – his 10th career interception and a fumble when former Brown Emmanuel Ogbah strip-sacked him in the third quarter and Miami recovered at their own 45. Thompson-Robinson was also flagged for intentional grounding three times but he at least had net passing yardage at halftime, unlike last week, so progress. “I mean, the outcome’s the same,” Thompson-Robinson said. “Whether you threw for a million or didn’t, you obviously didn’t make enough plays to win the game. We keep coming out with these losses and we have to find a way to fix that.”
Historic Mylestone – Myles Garrett became the first player in NFL history – or at least since sacks became a stat in 1982 – to register 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons. Garrett’s record sack of Huntley came with 9:01 to play in the fourth quarter, and on his 29th birthday. “We play for wins,” Garrett said. “The individual stuff is great, it’s nice, you want to be remembered for all the above. But cities remember you for wins and bringing championships back home. That’s always been my intention. So, I want to get back on track, want to get back to winning, whether it’s the last one or whatever’s in store next season.” Garrett picked up his 13th sack with just under 8 minutes to play in the third quarter on third down. Garrett is the third player since 1982 to reach 13 sacks in five-or-more of his first eight seasons, joining Reggie White (seven) and T.J. Watt (five of first seven). Garrett is up to 102 career sacks. “He’s the best pass rusher in the game,” Bitonio said. “I think you could ask all the players, ask all the coaches. He’s probably the guy they fear going up against the most. He’s dynamic. He’s a special player. I thought he had three [sacks] tonight. I guess they took one away. He’s doing his thing. I hope we can get some stuff around him so he can win some games around here.”
Taking the blame – Receiver Jerry Jeudy was targeted 18 times and he caught 12 of them for 94 yards. But it was the plays that he didn’t make that bothered him. “DT threw some great balls today. I just gotta make a play on them, I gotta catch them,” Jeudy said. “I feel like he did a great job, and I feel like I gotta play better for him.” Jeudy was frustrated he was unable to haul in a touchdown on a slant that got broken up by Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey on fourth and 3. “I felt like he grabbed my hip a little bit and turned me,” Jeudy said. “I may be wrong. I gotta look at the film and see what happened. I just gotta find a way to catch it and make a play.”
Lucky bounce – Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders bounced a 54-yard field goal off the crossbar and through to give Miami a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Sanders hit from 39 to give the Dolphins a 6-3 halftime lead.
Hopkins effect – With kicker Dustin Hopkins struggling this season, Stefanski passed on a 55-yard field goal try into the Dawg Pound with less than a minute to play before the half. Running back D’Onta Foreman was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 giving Miami the ball at their own 38. The visitors were able to move 41 yards in five plays to kick a field goal to take the lead at half. Hopkins made a 25-yard field goal that tied the game at 3.
Dawg pound captain – Eric Metcalf smashed the guitar prior to kickoff.
Inactives – QB Jameis Winston (third QB), WR Cedric Tillman, CB Chigozie Anusiem, DE Ogbo Okoronkwo, and TE David Njoku
Injury report – RB Jerome Ford (ankle), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder), LB Jordan Hicks (head), RB Pierre Strong (head) did not return.