Cleveland's five wins have come by a combined 16 points. Its three losses have come by 50. Add up the eight completed games, and the Browns have scored 139 points while allowing 173. A winning record, a minus-34 differential.
Every victory has been by four points or fewer: one four-point win and four three-point wins. Two of the losses have been by more than 20. Cleveland's smallest defeat, by five points, was larger than its biggest win. Its other two losses came by 24 and 21. The Browns' record is ahead of their performance.
Pittsburgh won both lines
The 27-6 loss in Pittsburgh left Cleveland at 5-3. The Browns lost fumbles on their first two drives, scored on only two of 12 possessions and produced nothing after halftime. They also allowed a season-high eight sacks and were flagged for four holding penalties.
On the ground, Cleveland managed a season-low 34 net rushing yards, while its run defense surrendered a season-high 200. Deshaun Watson threw for 324 yards, his highest passing total with Cleveland, as the Browns went without a touchdown for the first time this season.
Szmyt has delivered the finishes
All five Cleveland victories this season have included a fourth-quarter go-ahead drive.
Andre Szmyt has made 16 of 18 field-goal attempts this season, including three game-winning kicks. Pittsburgh held Cleveland to four conversions on 13 third-down attempts; its eight sacks cost the Browns 41 yards.
Todd Monken claimed the whole ledger afterward: "And we earned that one, and we've earned being 5-3."
Image: AI-generated image.
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