I've been to many home openers over the past 16 seasons. I had yet to see them win an opener, until yesterday. It was always the sad walk back over the bridge, the sad angry walk. The sad lowering of expectations. The sadness and fear that it's going to be another long, lousy season. Not yesterday. Yesterday that walk was pure joy. It had been 10 years since they won their first home game, when Butch Davis and Jeff Garcia led the Browns to a victory over the Ravens. 10 freaking years, until yesterday. So apparently the right combination of people to go to a game with to see a victory is Biff, Jack, Peebs, and DeSantis. Thanks again Biffer.
But I digress. The Browns beat the Saints yesterday, 26-24. The Browns beat the Saints in front of a LOUD and rowdy crowd. Brian Hoyer led the Browns on a game winning drive, and the Browns beat the Saints. The defense held Drew Brees in check for the most part, and the Browns beat the Saints, in their home opener, 26-24 running their record to 1-1. It just feels good to say. The Browns won.
For what it's worth in terms of making the playoffs, teams that start 0-2 only make the playoffs 11% of the time, so they really had to win this game in order to stay ahead of the chains, so to speak. 41% of 1-1 teams make them. Had to have this one, and they got it.
There are a few takeaways from the big win.
First off, and this is coming from a big time Johnny Manziel guy, this is Brian Hoyer's team. Hoyer is now 4-1 as a starter for the Browns. He also has not turned the ball over in his last 4 starts. He is efficient, he is a leader, and he has a knack for turning it on when he needs to. It's hard not to root for him, he's one of us. And this is his team, and while I had the timetable for Johnny Football taking over as after the bye, it seems apparent that Johnny will have to wait. I'd love to see Hoyer throw with more accuracy early in the game, but at least today that seems like nitpicking.
Manziel did make his debut, on a package of plays in the 3rd quarter, but I'm not sure how effective that package will be assuming it continues. If it did anything it pissed Brian Hoyer off, because he was 15-19 following Manziel's insertion. And Kyle Shanahan is the best offensive coordinator we've had here in a long time. And yes I'm basing that off of two games. The guy can call a game.
The two rookie running backs looked impressive. They both fit Shanahan's one-cut zone blocking scheme. Hawkins is a great little receiver. And you have to give Gary Barnidge credit, he had his best game as a Brown, his biggest play was the catch on the 4th down conversion on the final drive.
Everyone used to love Rob Ryan while he was here, but that last drive was classic Rob Ryan. Blitz but don't get to the quarterback and leave a wide receiver wide open. Classic. Rob. Ryan. Sean Payton didn't appreciate it either it seems.
Defensively, that was an impressive performance. Except for Jimmy Graham, who is almost impossible to cover, the Browns defense limited the Saints' high powered offense. Karlos Dansby has already made more plays in two games than D'Qwell Jackson did in 8 years here. He is awesome. Paul Kruger looks GREAT. He looks like a totally different player. Pettine's defense clearly had Brees confused in the beginning of the game, and they made a huge play when they needed to, when Dansby sacked Brees on a 3rd and 7, knocking the Saints out of field goal range and giving the Browns the ball back with a chance to win the game. The defense was aggressive all game. All things considered they played great. They even added a pick 6 by my man Tashaun Gipson. The Saints ran the ball better than you would have expected them to, but it's pick your poison with them.
And although the special teams had the hiccup on the extra point, they were decent enough. K'wuan Williams had some big hits on kick coverage. And of course, Cundiff hit the game winner from 26 yards.
But again, the sun shines brighter around here when the Browns win. People smile more. The flowers smell better. Life is just a little more pleasant. And in terms of the season, this is a big win for the Browns. It's big because it was at home, against a good team, and it's big because 0-2 is probably too big of a hole for this team to dig out of. Let's see if Hoyer can keep the magic going next week against the Ravens, and keep that walk from the stadium joyous.
Random gifs
So Happy
Poor Jay Cutler this looks painful
Nice Catch Rueben
Bonus Pic - DEAL WITH IT
