The Cleveland Browns did it. In primetime, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns held onto the win and are now atop the AFC North. And not only are they the leaders in the AFC North, but they are also the sole leader, which hasn't happened since 2014.
The Browns came out firing on all cylinders in the first half as they were up 21-10. In the second half, the Browns faltered a bit but got it together in the fourth quarter to add two field goals to their total, which was enough to fend off the Steelers. The final field goal came with 10 seconds left when they saw Andre Szmyt connect on a new career-long field goal from 56 yards out.
The Browns' defense was the star of the show, but the attitude and approach from this coaching staff, led by
Todd Monken and Mike Rutenberg, should be talked about more. The team is playing like they can win any game now, and that is scary for opposing teams and the fanbase equally.
With that, here is our report card from the pivotal game.
Quarterback: B+
Deshaun Watson in the first half looked as close to the Houston Texans version of him as Browns fans had seen since he was traded to Cleveland. With the score of 21-10 at halftime, there was a chance for this to really break the doors open, but the second half was rough for him. However, he got it together on the final drive to set up the game-winning field goal to make it three wins in a row.
Running Back: B
Quinshon Judkins and Raheim Sanders made plays when they needed to on Thursday night. Judkins especially looked good at times after a rough start to the season. The run game being around to control time of possession and take some responsibility off of Deshaun Watson's shoulders is going to be pivotal as the season rolls on.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: A
This was the first complete game from the wide receivers all season long. Everyone made plays, with Denzel Boston being a serious threat, KC Concepcion being creative in space, and Jeerry Jeudy making some critical catches down the stretch. On top of that, Harold Fannin Jr. flexed his ability to be a red zone target with his touchdown before halftime.
Offensive Line: A
The team gave up no pressure for a long duration of the game on Thursday night. Watson's jersey was clean for a long stretch of the game, and the two sacks that they "allowed" I do not credit to them. This was a great performance from a group that needed one. They need to keep the ball rolling with their momentum as we head into deeper into October.
Defensive Line: A
The pressure they were able to create all game long against Aaron Rodgers was impressive. When Mason Graham was on the field, it was hard to gauge how they would handle it, but they had a next-man-up mentality. Isaiah McGuire, Mike Hall Jr., and Maliek Collins all stepped up, and it made a world of difference.
Linebackers: B+
Carson Schwesinger was a man on a mission on Thursday night. He was up to every task; he handled a lot of responsibilities, but that meant others had to fill in at times. The linebacker group will need some help this year, but Schwesinger is playing at an All-Pro level right now, and it is helping this whole unit.
Secondary: B
The secondary had their moments in Week 4. They had moments of brilliance and moments that left you scratching your head. Denzel Ward continues his hot start to the season, but players like Tyson Campbell and Myles Harden were a liability at times. DK Metcalf and even Darnell Washington presented some size issues, so that will be something to watch as the season rolls on.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Report card grades from the Browns' Week 4 win over the Steelers
