Kicker Cade York made three field goals on Thursday night and it felt like York had redeemed himself after multiple early misses in early preseason games.
And then came two opportunities to win the game from 47 yards out, but no good. But the Eagles had a penalty, so York had another chance from 41 yards out, and again no good, UGH!
Very frustrating, thankfully just the preseason, but it would be a mistake if the Browns don’t decide to bring someone in to see if there’s someone who can make kicks constantly. To not do anything, would be a mistake.
Starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson had another good performance in a preseason game going 13 for 25 for 164 yards in the air and 18 yards rushing as well. DTR was not perfect, but he is exciting to watch and the ceiling is very high for this young quarterback.
Wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. also had a big night making seven catches for 139 yards and a touchdown. Watkins really balled out tonight and was a favorite target for both DTR and Kellen Mond. Going to be hard to leave Watkins off the final roster.
The Browns defense once again got another safety in a preseason game, this time from LB Mohamoud Diabate. Later in the 2nd quarter, Diabate would cause a fumble that was recovered by the Browns.
Diabate was all over the field and was impressive on Thursday, hard to see him not making the club after Thursday night’s performance.
Cleveland’s persistent kicker issues persisted in their recent game. Despite starting with a flawless 3-of-3 field goal performance, their troubles returned when K Cade York missed two crucial attempts for a go-ahead score in the final two minutes. This resulted in an 18-18 tie against the Philadelphia Eagles, a unique outcome as preseason games do not proceed to overtime. Let’s delve into a comprehensive recap of the entire game.
In the first half, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson spearheaded the Browns’ offensive efforts. The initial drive showcased Cleveland’s prowess, with notable completions to WR Cedric Tillman for 14 yards on a 3rd-and-13, a connection with WR Anthony Schwartz for 11 yards on 3rd-and-7, and a long 36-yard pass to Tillman to advance into the red zone.
Progressing further, a 7-yard pass to Bell on 3rd-and-8 led to a 4th-and-1 scenario from the 7-yard line. DTR’s determined run propelled them to the 2-yard line, ultimately reaching the 1-yard line following a penalty. However, on 1st-and-goal, RB John Kelly’s fumble was seized by Philadelphia at the 2-yard line.
Subsequently, an incomplete pass on the first down by RB Marcus Mariota was followed by a handoff to RB Kenneth Gainwell. LB Mohamoud Diabate’s swift maneuver through the unguarded gap resulted in a safety, marking the second consecutive week where the Browns earned their initial points through a safety.
Holding a 2-0 advantage, Philadelphia employed a no-huddle strategy to penetrate Cleveland’s territory. The drive stalled at the Browns’ 38-yard line, but K Jake Elliott’s successful 56-yard field goal granted the Eagles a 3-2 lead. The following drives were a mix of successes and failures, including a couple of punts by the Browns and S Ronnie Hickman’s interception, his third in two weeks, on an errant throw by Mariota.
Cleveland orchestrated a drive that culminated in a 43-yard field goal by K Cade York, propelling the Browns to a 5-3 lead. Shortly thereafter, Diabate continued his standout performance, causing a fumble through a forceful punch during a 14-yard screen pass. CB Cameron Mitchell recovered the ball at the Eagles’ 45-yard line.
As the second quarter wound down, DTR executed a precise 27-yard pass to WR Austin Watkins, positioning the Browns at the 11-yard line. A 10-yard rush by RB Hassan Hall on the subsequent play seemed promising, but an offensive hold halted their momentum. York’s 37-yard field goal extended the Browns’ lead to 8-3. While Cleveland’s defense remained resilient, sacking Mariota multiple times, DTR fell short of leading a successful two-minute drive to conclude the first half.
Philadelphia took possession at the start of the second half, and the new signal caller, Tanner McKee, swiftly orchestrated a touchdown drive. A series of passes, including gains of 12, 11, and 15 yards, advanced Philadelphia into Cleveland’s territory. RB Trey Sermon’s explosive 33-yard run secured a touchdown, allowing Philadelphia to regain a 10-8 lead.
Kellen Mond’s initial series advanced the Browns near midfield. Following an Eagles’ three-and-out, Mond exhibited remarkable synergy with Watkins, resulting in a 23-yard pass and a 32-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-7, catapulting the Browns ahead 15-10. In the early fourth quarter, York’s successful 43-yard field goal widened the gap to 18-10.
The Eagles mounted a drive, approaching the 3-yard line, but consecutive incomplete passes led to a turnover on downs. Mond led the Browns out of a precarious situation before a punt, granting Philadelphia an opportunity. They converted a 4th-and-1 at the 27-yard line and subsequently connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass from McKee to TE Brady Russell. The two-point conversion leveled the score at 18-18, with six minutes left in the game.
In a final attempt to secure victory, the Browns reached the 29-yard line with just two minutes remaining. K Cade York had the opportunity to put Cleveland in the lead, but he missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. An illegal formation penalty against the Eagles provided York with another shot from 41 yards, which he also missed. These two missed attempts overshadowed York’s otherwise positive performance throughout the evening.
With the game still tied, Philadelphia embarked on a decisive drive. While they advanced close to midfield, DT Tommy Togiai sacked the quarterback on a crucial 3rd-and-long play. The Browns used their first timeout with 40 seconds left. Following a punt, they positioned themselves at the 29-yard line with 32 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, they couldn’t reach field goal range for a Hail Mary attempt, resulting in the game concluding in a tie.
Saturday 8/26 1 PM EST – Game 4 of Pre-Season at Kansas City Chiefs
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