Browns 1st and Goal Report: Browns have become an overnight sensation

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1st and Goal: The Browns and Deshaun Watson thriving all of a sudden

In the last segment of the 1st and Goal Report I speculated that the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 might have been Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s last game as the team’s starter.

Oh how times have changed. Cleveland beat Pittsburgh this past Thursday as Watson played well again and all of a sudden the Browns have a 3-1 record and sit atop the AFC North.

There are several factors that have gone into this impressive early season winning streak but Watson has been more consistent then at any other previous point in his five seasons with the team. 

He’s led the Browns now on three game winning drives in the closing minutes. Browns fans haven’t seen that type of production since the legendary former Cleveland quarterback Brian Sipe did that in the 1980 “Kardiac Kids” season. 

Watson just seems more relaxed but still determined and confident. If he continues to play this way it will certainly give his team a shot at many more wins this season. 

2nd and Goal:” In Andre (Szmyt) We Trust”

Life long Browns fans are very familiar with long time former kicker Phil Dawson who played for the team for 14 seasons. He was almost automatic on his field goal kicks in all those seasons and fans would usually say “In Phil We Trust”. 

That saying now is changing to “In Andre (Szmyt) We Trust” as he’s become automatic in his field goal makes over the past year. Szmyt has hit 22 straight field goals dating back to Week 10 of the 2025 season.

He nailed a career high 56 yard field goal on Thursday night to beat the Steelers. I’ve had the chance to interview Szmyt this season and I’ve just been so impressed with his demeanor and confidence in his game. 

Szmyt has told me his kicking game comes down to his obsession with the process and being in the routine for 18 straight weeks. Whether it’s a practice, training camp, or a big moment in a game, like we witnessed the other night, it’s simply going through the process the same way and staying focused.

Right now Szmyt has been “money” and is so consistent. “Knock on wood”, let’s hope his kicking dominance continues. 

 

3rd and Goal: Pressure, Pressure, Pressure

The name of the game for the Browns defense in this stretch of wins has been about its defense putting relentless pressure on the opponent’s quarterback. They did it against Baker Mayfield. They did it against Bryce Young and now they did it against Aaron Rodgers.

They’ve made these great quarterbacks look rather pedestrian. The Browns are getting these pressures usually from just a four man front. They are bringing blitzes but are also relying on their secondary to defend well. 

The Browns got two interceptions in the game against the Steelers. They also sacked Rodgers five times. That kind of defense is going to help them keep winning this season. 

 

4th and Goal: The Browns play the New York Jets next

Cleveland has this Sunday off after their Thursday night game. They go on the road to play the New York Jets next Sunday (October 11). 

While on paper it seems like the Browns would have a leg up on the Jets (1-2 record) who are facing a tough Chicago Bears team this Sunday in Chicago, it’s never easy.

Cleveland has actually lost three of the last four games against the Jets. New York beat Cleveland last year 27-20. 

I think the tide is turning though for this upcoming battle.

Game prediction

Browns 31

Jets 13