NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A few thoughts on the Cleveland Browns’ 29-28 victory over the Tennessee Titans at LP Field:
What it means: A ton. The Browns were borderline awful for almost the entire first half and fell behind 28-3. But they got a score just before halftime, then kept fighting in the second half to finish an improbable comeback to win a road game for the first time in more than a year. The negatives, had they lost, would have been many. Instead, the positives after this win could propel them. The Browns badly needed it for many reasons. Instead of looking at 1-3, they are 2-2 and can talk about how close they came to winning the other two games. The confidence a win like this provides could be immeasurable.
Not a snap: Long-snapper Christian Yount was within one or two bad snaps of losing his job this past week. The Browns brought in competition for him and pondered a move. They stuck with him, and Yount justified the faith with no bad snaps. And wouldn't it figure, the game came down to his extra-point snap after the Browns' final touchdown. His snap was perfect for Billy Cundiff.
Stock watch: Travis Benjamin's stock was dropping precipitously after he mishandled a punt in the third quarter and turned the ball over to Tennessee. But a penalty wiped out that turnover and Benjamin came back to catch two touchdowns, including the last on a tremendous fingertip catch in the back of the end zone with 1 minute, 9 seconds left. Benjamin went from near goat for the second game in a row to one of many standouts.
Other issues: The run defense was a point of emphasis in the bye week, and it needs more attention. The Browns were basically trucked by the Titans, who ran for 120 yards in the first half alone. Cleveland started the game giving up an average of 153.7 yards per game rushing; Tennessee got 149 and was slowed only when Jake Locker was injured. This has to be grating to a defensive coach, as Mike Pettine touted his system from the minute he was hired and continued to tout it during the bye week and the week leading to the trip to Tennessee. There aren’t many options for improving the personnel at this point of the season.
Game ball: It's getting repetitive, giving it to him every week, but when Brian Hoyer throws the winning touchdown with 1:09 left, throws for 292 yards and has three touchdowns, it's hard not to keep recognizing him. The Browns dominated the second half and won despite getting no points on two golden chances, and he calmly completed three passes on the winning drive -- set up by Ken Whisenhunt's nearly inexplicable decision to go for the first down from the Tennessee 42 with 3:09 left.
What’s next: The Browns return home for a rematch against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers won the opener 30-27 in Pittsburgh on a last-play field goal.
