The Cleveland Browns begin the 2025 season with high hopes that last year’s disaster will not repeat itself. There are quite a few new bodies on this year’s roster to help with this cause.
Playing a division opponent such as the Cincinnati Bengals right out of the gate is a challenge. The Bengals are expected to compete for the AFC North title this year, and should be a pretty good ballclub.
In the end, the Bengals won by a sliver as they defeated the Browns 17-16.
So who played well for the Browns?
Who didn’t?
BROWNIES
DE Myles Garrett – The Browns pay him a lot of money so that he can do what Myles Garrett does: Get to the quarterback. Had just five total tackles, but four of those were for losses. In the second quarter, he beat LT Orlando Brown with a dramatic lean on the offensive tackle and ended up on top of QB Joe Burrow for just a two-yard gain on a third-and-eight. Close to halftime, he beat Brown again and almost had a sack that forced a hurried throw. In the fourth quarter, Garrett was hit by Brown and then LG Dylan Fairchild and still was able to get to Burrow for his first sack. After a Cincy timeout, it was Garrett on back-to-back plays for yet another sack that forced a punt. Garrett also had three QB hits.
QB Joe Flacco – Yes, there were two interceptions that destroyed drives in Cincinnati’s portion of the field. Yes, both were in the hands of the receiver who tipped the ball up for the pick. So, there’s that. At all times with Flacco under center, the Browns had a chance to drive the field. The Browns punted just twice all game. Some good plays include the third-and-eight conversion in Quarter 3 with 11:36 left as Flacco hit WR Ced Tillman for 13 yards after big gains by passes to TE David Njoku (11 yards) and TE Harold Fannin (18 yards). On the first and goal call, Flacco then hit Tillman in a crowded end zone, who had barely beaten CB Cam Taylor-Britt for the touchdown. The second-to-last drive of the game was all-Flacco, which began at the Bengals 42-yard line. First, a 13-yard zinger and a nine-yard strike to WR Jerry Jeudy on a third-and-six conversion for another first down that placed Cleveland in field goal range. All game, Flacco knew when to toss the ball out of bounds to live another play. Tossed 45 passes in this game, with 31 completions for 290 yards, one TD, two picks, with a 75.2 QB rating.
LB Carson Schwesinger – This dude was everywhere. One thing to notice is how he old-school tackles by hitting his man in the chest and drives through them. In the first quarter, on a short pass to RB Chase Brown in the flats, Schwesinger was on the other side of the field and caught Brown from behind as he attempted to cut. As the Bengals attempted to run out the clock on their final drive, Schwesinger caught Brown on a sweep for a five-yard loss on a second-and-seven that then became a punt instead of clock being eliminated. Led the Browns in tackles with eight with one tackle for loss and one QB hit. Very nice NFL debut.
Second half third down defensive stops – The Bengals had their way in the first half, going 5-6 on third down attempts, but that changed dramatically in the second half. Cincinnati could only manage two third-down conversions, including missing on a third-and-one and a third-and-three. Part of the reason was that Cincy had large numbers, including two nine-yard attempts and one for 22 yards.
WR Cedric Tillman – Did not lead the Browns in receiving yards, but caught balls at the most opportune times with his large frame. In the third stanza, he snagged a pass over the middle from Flacco all the way down to the Bengals’ 30-yard line on third down. He converted a third-and-eight later in the same period and a third-and-nine in the third quarter, which gained 13 yards. Eight targets, five catches for 52 yards, one TD with a 10.4 yards per reception average.
Offense first downs – Holy cow! 22 first downs is a scene from the 1980s as Cleveland was able to move the ball down the field for most of the game. Flacco used his receivers and tight ends to his advantage to convert. Sad that the total first downs are greater than the total number of points scored.
OT Cornelius Lucas – Hear Bengals DE Joseph Ossai’s name much during this game? The answer is no because Browns RT Jack Conklin was injured early and Lucas was inserted. Ossai was manhandled all game instead. One tackle, that was it. Zero sacks, zero QB hits, one pressure. Pretty good day for Lucas who was sitting on the bench sunning himself one minute, and the next entered the game. Nice work.
FROWNIES
K Andre Szmyt – Everything began just as planned. His first NFL points came with a PAT after a 16-play drive that ended with a Rocket Sanders touchdown. On the Browns’ third drive, this one 11 plays, Szmyt connected on a 45-yard field goal. But the wheels came off. Why? Who knows? The Browns scored another touchdown for their first lead of the game, only to have the young kicker miss the PAT wide right. Okay……
Then, with 6:56 in the game, Cleveland began at Cincinnati’s 42-yard line. A lot of gutsy plays were handled by the offensive line and key receptions by receivers as Flacco’s game management was sterling. A sack ended the drive to set up Szymt’s 36-yard field goal attempt to put them in front with 2:25 remaining. Wide right? Again? Have heard this one before: “Andre, coach wants to see you. Bring your playbook.”
RB Jerome Ford – No part of today’s game saw Ford do anything. He did not run with authority and was caught for minimal to no gain too many times. He was stuffed on a key third-and-three by DT B.J. Hill in the first quarter for no gain. With 11:10 left in Quarter 3, he ran right into LB Barrett Carter. This is our bellcow back?
Key drops – Rookie TE Harold Fannin dropped a key third-and-five that would have been a first down in the fourth quarter, which ended a good drive. On the very next play, going for it on fourth down, WR Jerry Jeudy did exactly the same thing. Both passes by Flacco were right in the player’s hands. In the second quarter, with 8:42 left before the half, TE David Njoku dropped a sure first-down conversion.
Browns running game – Wasn’t this year’s team supposed to get back to its roots and run the hell out of the ball? What happened? 49 rushing yards by five runners. For the game. The entire game. Meanwhile, the offense chunked it 45 times in the air. If Cleveland is a passing team, then so be it. The leading rusher had 29 yards.
C Ethan Pocic – The experienced center had no answer for DT B.J. Hill all game, who had seven tackles and sacked Flacco and almost had two other sacks as he bullrushed Pocic.
Milk Bones – God created the world, but being a Browns fan feels like hell
WR Jerry Jeudy – Had several key catches in the second half after being the invisible man in the first two quarters. The Bengals’ first interception was right in Jeudy’s hands, who then slapped it up in the air for a tip drill demonstration and a turnover. Jeudy also dropped that fourth-and-five early in the fourth quarter. Led the Browns in receiving yards with 66 yards on five receptions.
RB Dylan Sampson – Had a tremendous game for his first NFL contest. Ran with power and grabbed some good passes as the safety valve option. With 10:04 left in the third quarter, he caught a nifty shoetop pass that was almost on the turf. 12 carries for 29 yards is nothing to write home about, but he ran with authority and showed his speed.
Fourth down attempts – The first two were converted. The third was a dropped pass by Jeudy. 2-3 is not a bad day if the Browns are going for it.
LB Devin Bush – Had a decent game with two very good stops. On the second play of the game, he stuffed Brown as he saw the running play evolve and shot the gap for a one-yard loss. In the second quarter, Burrow dumped off to RB Samaje Perine, but Bush sniffed it out for a one-yard gain before Perine could turn upfield. Seven total tackles with one batted pass and one QB hit.
TE Harold Fannin – Not a bad first game. Showed he can catch a lot of balls and had some decent yards after contact. His drop early in the fourth quarter was a third-and-five that would have kept the drive going. Nine targets, seven catches for 63 yards, a 9.0 yards per reception average.
Who do you have Brownies and Frownies for after the Browns loss to the Bengals?
