INDIANAPOLIS — Deshaun Watson left the game with an injury and P.J. Walker struggled under center. Amari Cooper didn't do much with the football. Even the "No. 1 NFL defense" looked very, very human.
So how in the world did the Browns win this game (again)? Is this really the time to ask those types of questions?
However it happened, Cleveland is now 4-2 on the 2023 season following a wacky 39-38 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Kareem Hunt's fourth-down touchdown plunge with just 15 seconds left (following a pair of controversial defensive penalties) proved to be the decider before Za'Darius Smith strip sacked Indy QB Gardner Minshew on Indy's final drive.
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Things started out innocently enough, with Watson returning to the starting lineup and Jerome Ford dashing 69 yards for an opening score. But the tone was set on the very next series, when busted coverage aided a 59-yard TD pass from Minshew to Josh Downs.
It was the start of an afternoon plagued by injuries, penalties, and all-around sloppy mistakes from both teams.
After going 1 of 5 for just five yards and an interception, Watson hit his head hard on the turf and went to the sidelines. He cleared concussion protocol, but did not return to the field, instead appearing to nurse the ailing right throwing shoulder that had kept him out the previous two games.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game it was his call to not put him back out there.
"He's our starter moving forward, he's our starter in Seattle," Stefanski told reporters. "I just, it's always going to be my decision to protect our players."
That left Walker in charge of the offense, and the former XFL star looked shaky once again by completing only 46.9% of his throws for 178 yards and a pick along with a fumble on a fourth-down pitch. The rest of the offense didn't help much, as the running attack was mostly stymied after Ford's scoring run.
Besides Walker, injuries also began to pile up, with Ford and Denzel Ward both being knocked out of the game at various points. As for Jim Schwartz's defense? It was far from elite, allowing 456 total yards and various big plays. Minshew had more than 300 of those yards by himself, with four total touchdowns.
Still, there were plenty of bright spots that gave Cleveland the W. For one, Dustin Hopkins was clutch with four field goals, including three from at least 54 yards out.
And then there was Myles Garrett...
What did the All-Pro end do? Try nine total tackles (one for a loss), a blocked field goal, and a pair of strip sacks. Those game-wrecking moments led directly to 17 Browns points, including a Tony Fields II TD after Minshew fumbled the ball in the end zone.
With the matchup going back and forth, the Browns took a 33-31 led with 6:33 to go, only for Michael Pittman Jr. to catch a Minshew pass, break a Greg Newsome II tackle, and sprint 75 yards for the score to put the Colts (3-4) up five. Both teams traded punts before Walker got one last chance from his own 20 with only 2:35 on the clock.
Then things got interesting...
Held in check all day, Walker suddenly made some clutch throws, including a 30-yarder to Elijah Moore and a 17-yarder to Donovan Peoples-Jones. On third-and-4 from the Indy 13, disaster appeared to strike, as E.J. Speed knocked the ball loose and DeForest Buckner pounced on it to seemingly give the Colts the win.
Suddenly, those inside Lucas Oil Stadium noticed a penalty flag, specifically thrown for illegal contact against corner Darrell Baker Jr. Fans voiced their displeasure at what appeared to some to be a borderline call, at best, but it gave the Browns a first-and-goal inside the 10.
Walker's next pass to Peoples-Jones sailed over his head, only for another flag to fly for pass interference against Baker, despite some feeling the ball was uncatchable. At any rate, it was first-and-goal at the 1, but with no timeouts remaining, Cleveland was forced to pass on their first three tries and all throws landed incomplete.
It was almost an advantage, as the clock was no longer a concern. Hunt was able to get the handoff from I formation and barrel over the goal line for his second touchdown of the afternoon, more importantly putting the Browns in front once more.
Indy did have an opportunity to drive for a potential game-winning field goal, but Smith took the ball from Minshew and pounced on it himself to finally (mercifully) put things on ice. Despite being out-gained by 140 yards, Cleveland was a winner for the second week in a row.
The Browns are now 4-2 for the first time since 2020, which coincidentally was also the last time they went to the playoffs. Up next? A road game against the Seattle Seahawks, with Stefanski saying Watson should be back under center.
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