CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Rumors of the Browns demise after getting demolished in Week 1 were greatly exaggerated.
It wasn’t pretty but it still counts as the Browns hung on in the closing seconds to beat the Jaguars 18-13.
Here’s the top Brownie Bites from Week 2.
Bottom line business – The Browns dominated the first half and limped to the finish due to a lack of situational awareness and penalties, but they escaped with their first win of the season to avoid an 0-2 start.
Safety dance – Defensive end Alex Wright put the game away when he blew through Jacksonville’s protection to tackle Trevor Lawrence in the end zone for a safety with 1:44 to play in the fourth in what should have ended the game. The safety was made possible by a perfect punt from Corey Bojorquez that hit at the 1 and bounced out of bounds at the 2.
Last gasp – Lawrence and the Jaguars got one last crack at pulling off a comeback because Deshaun Watson barely was able to throw an incompletion on third-and-6 while getting hit from the Jacksonville 38 with 1:33 remaining. Watson should’ve taken a sack to keep the clock running but even more curious is why Kevin Stefanski didn’t just try to run the ball in that situation.
Flags galore – Bojorquez’s punt was needed after a drive inside the red zone ended in a fourth-and-36 thanks to a facemask penalty on running back D’Onta Foreman and a pair of holding penalties on center Ethan Pocic and Joel Bitonio. The Browns were flagged 13 times for 100 yards and four of the five offensive linemen were called for holding Sunday.
Step forward – Watson finished 22 of 34 for 186 yards plus five carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence struggled for Jacksonville with a 14 for 30 afternoon and 220 yards.
Ground game – Cleveland was able to build a 13-3 halftime lead thanks to the run game. Outside of five carries for Watson, the Browns ran it 24 times with Jerome Ford leading the way with 64 yards on seven carries. Foreman carried 14 times for 42 yards as Cleveland finished with 125 rushing yards as a team.
Another Myles-tone – Myles Garrett tied J.J. Watt for the third fastest to reach 90 sacks in a career in NFL history with his strip-sack of Lawrence in the third quarter. Garrett has 90.5 sacks in 102 games.
Jerry’s world – Receiver Jerry Jeudy had himself a day in the rain. Jeudy led the Browns with five catches for 73 yards, including a 30-yard catch.
Sweet 16 – The Browns opened with a 16-play, 89-yard drive capped by Watson’s one yard touchdown run to give Cleveland and early 7-0 lead. It took over nine minutes off the clock, but it would be the only time they found the end zone.
Three’s company – Kicker Dustin Hopkins made all three field goals from 53, 38 and 44 yards. Hopkins has made his last 10 from beyond 50 yards dating back to last season.
Winston converts – Jameis Winston came on to help the Browns convert three fourth-and-1s. Winston kept it twice and handed to Ford, who ran for 36 yards.
Keep away – Cleveland dominated time of possession in the first half: 20:06-9:54 and ran 15 more plays than Jacksonville.
Guardian cap – Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah became the first Browns player to wear a guardian cap during a game Sunday.
Engram out – The Browns caught a break prior to kickoff when Jaguars tight end Evan Engram suffered a hamstring injury during warmups and was ruled out.
Injury report – LT Dawand Jones (cramps-returned), WR David Bell (hip-carted off), RB Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring-did not return), CB Martin Emerson Jr. (undisclosed), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (undisclosed)
