5 Cleveland Browns stocks that are up after the big win against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cleveland Browns are 3-1 for the first time since 2001, as the franchise finally seems to have turned the corner.
Under Kevin Stefanski, the Browns are disciplined, pay attention to detail, and quite frankly, are a heck-of-a-lot of fun to watch.
The Browns entered this one as 4.5-point underdogs, according to some, yet Cleveland owned a 41-14 lead at one point in the second half. Sure, the Cowboys cut the lead to three as the Browns shifted to a garage-time prevent defense.
But when it got close, the Browns answered in the form of a 50-yard OBJ touchdown on an end around to secure a 49-38 win. The victory marked the first time the Browns had beaten the Cowboys since December of 1994.
By improving to two games above .500 and a quarter of the season in the books, the Browns are well positioned for a run to the playoffs, especially in an expanded seven-team field.
And in victory, these five Browns saw their stocks rise.
1. Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett is already the best defensive end in the game, so there’s not much room for his stock to go up, yet, it’s through the roof again.
Garrett had five pressures on 46 rushes, according to NFL Next Gen stats. He totaled two sacks. It’s his second consecutive multi-sack game.
He also posted the third game in a row in which he recorded a strip sack. This time, he got to Dak Prescott with 11:23 remaining in the second quarter. The Browns cashed in a touchdown four plays later, scoring yet another touchdown off a turnover.
Garrett now has 5.0 sacks through four games and he’s well on his way to breaking the franchise records for takedowns, which was set by Reggie Camp (14) back in 1984.
The Browns secondary will leave questions throughout the season, but with Garrett flying off the edge, the defense will always have a chance.
Additionally, Olivier Vernon was healthy, starting and contributing for the Browns, as NFL Next Gen Stats reported that he recorded eight pressures of Dak Prescott on 44 pass rushing attempts.
2. D’Ernest Johnson
D’Ernest Johnson helped fill the void left by Nick Chubb’s knee injury by rushing for 95 yards on 13 carries, including a long run of 28 yards.
He averaged 7.3 yards per carry and helped keep the Browns’ rushing attack, which gained over 300 yards, a force Dallas couldn’t handle.
Chubb only ran the ball six times, yet still managed to average 7.3 yards per carry. Kareem Hunt was also stellar, rushing 11 times for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
Cleveland’s ability to run the ball remains the team’s strength, and the depth flexed its muscle in Chubb’s absence. Obviously, the Browns need to get him back clicking on all cylinders, but will have to await MRI results.
With the run proving to be more than effective, Baker Mayfield was also able to enjoy more success throwing from moving pockets and play-action schemes.
With defenses having to respect all backs at all times, Kevin Stefanski’s play action calls are virtually unstoppable.
3. OBJ
Odell Beckham’s taken a lot of criticism here throughout his 1 1/4 seasons as a member of the Browns,
It was a long wait, but Beckham played his best game as a Brown, scoring three touchdowns, including a 50-yard score on an end around that secured the victory for Cleveland.
Beckham caught five of his eight targets for 81 yards. Most importantly, he impacted the offense through the course of the entire game. He didn’t fade into the background after a nice first-quarter grab, or drop passes for first downs.
And while Beckham’s burst into the end zone sealed the victory, that play might not even be the most memorable of the day. That came in the first quarter, when the Browns reversed to Jarvis Landry, who connected with his childhood friend for an improbable touchdown.
Beckham was an elite receiver and a difference maker. if this is who the Browns get moving forward, the offense will stay dangerous.
4. Jacob Phillips
It’s a small step, but rookie Jacob Phillips had a very strong series at linebacker toward the end of the third quarter.
With 6:12 to go in the quarter, Phillips had a big tackle of Dalton Schultz on 3rd down to keep him three yards short of a first down. On the next play, he broke up Dak Prescott’s pass for CeeDee Lamb.
Phillips only had two tackles on the day, but the sequence showed some serious growth from the fifth-round pick. Considering the Browns are banking on their young linebackers developing into contributing talent, you’ve got to take the good when it’s there.
Unfortunately, the linebacking corps still has a ways to go, as the unit, combined with whatever the Browns are doing at safety, is cause for big concern.
That said, there were some positive signs for Phillips, who was playing in just his fourth NFL game.
5. Jedrick Wills
The rookie left tackle graded out cleanly when tasked with pass blocking, according to PFF. The analytically oriented site praised the rookie’s transition from right to left tackle through just four NFL games.
Really. this victory was a credit to the entire offensive line, as the Browns rushed for over 300 yards, while Dallas’ pass rush was never a threat to Baker Mayfield.
Offensive line coach Bill Callahan was also drawing a ton of praise for his work with the group, and it’s well deserved.
The offensive line went from a weakness that was a magnet for penalties last season, to perhaps, the greatest strength of the 2020 Browns.