NASHVILLE — The Cleveland Browns are making a habit of winning football games in dramatic fashion. For the second consecutive week, Cleveland needed a last-second field goal from Andre Szmyt, this time escaping Nashville with a 27-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.
The Browns (5-2) appeared headed for a long afternoon after falling behind 14-0 less than seven minutes into the game. Tennessee running back Tony Pollard scored on touchdown runs of 36 and 10 yards, with the second coming after a Deshaun Watson interception gave the Titans excellent field position.
Cleveland responded behind rookie running back Quinshon Judkins and receiver KC Concepcion. Judkins scored on a 5-yard run in the first quarter, then added a 6-yard touchdown in the second to tie the game at 14.
The Browns defense also stepped up after its disastrous start. Tennessee drove to Cleveland's 4-yard line early in the second quarter, but the Browns stopped the Titans on four consecutive plays, including a fourth-down run from the 1-yard line.
Denzel Ward later intercepted Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward, ending another Titans possession and giving Cleveland an opportunity to tie the game.
With the score tied at 14, Watson directed a 64-yard drive in the final 1:45 of the first half, setting up Szmyt's 28-yard field goal as time expired. Cleveland took a 17-14 lead into halftime after scoring 17 unanswered points.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Tennessee tied the game midway through the fourth on Joey Slye's 29-yard field goal. Cleveland answered with an eight-play, 71-yard drive featuring runs of 19 yards by Dylan Sampson and 18 yards by Concepcion. Watson finished the possession with a 9-yard touchdown run, putting the Browns ahead 24-17 with 4:34 remaining.
But Tennessee wasn't finished. Cam Ward led the Titans on an 11-play, 63-yard drive, including an 18-yard completion to former Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate that set up first-and-goal at the Cleveland 1-yard line. Pollard scored his third touchdown of the afternoon with just 58 seconds remaining, tying the game at 24.
Cleveland had less than a minute to respond, and once again, Szmyt would get the opportunity to win it.
Starting at their own 31-yard line, Watson completed passes of 6 yards to Denzel Boston and 8 yards to Sampson before connecting with Harold Fannin Jr. for a crucial 36-yard gain to the Tennessee 19. A defensive offside penalty moved the ball five yards closer, and Szmyt drilled a 32-yard field goal as time expired.
The victory was Cleveland's second consecutive win decided by a last-second Szmyt field goal, following last week's 13-10 victory over Baltimore.
The Browns have plenty to improve, especially after allowing Pollard to score three touchdowns and struggling to put Tennessee away. But Cleveland continues finding ways to win close games, and Sunday's victory keeps the Browns near the top of the AFC North standings.
What's Next
The Browns continue their three-game road trip Sunday, November 1, when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
