CLEVELAND — The Browns found another way to win Sunday, overcoming an early 14-point deficit before needing a last-second field goal to escape Tennessee with a 27-24 victory. It wasn't always pretty (it never is with this team), but Cleveland improved to 5-2 and remained atop the AFC North.
For this week's Heroes & Zeros, we're recognizing three players who made major contributions to the victory, along with two areas where the Browns need to be better.
HEROES
KC Concepcion — Wide Receiver
Concepcion continues to look like one of Cleveland's best offseason additions, and Sunday was his biggest performance yet. The rookie caught eight passes for a career-high 129 yards, with all eight receptions coming in the first half.
He also carried the ball three times for 23 yards, finishing with 152 yards from scrimmage. Concepcion was particularly effective after the catch, repeatedly turning short completions into important gains.
His 32-yard reception helped set up Cleveland's second touchdown, while a 15-yard catch late in the first half helped put the Browns in position for a field goal that gave them a 17-14 halftime lead.
For a player selected 24th overall in April's draft, Concepcion is quickly becoming an important part of Cleveland's offense. His production Sunday was especially valuable when the Browns needed to recover from their disastrous start. In many ways, Concepcion is become what Zay Flowers is to the Ravens — a shifty play-maker with the ability to deliver clutch moments, and big games.
Quinshon Judkins — Running Back
The Browns needed someone to respond after Tennessee jumped ahead 14-0, and Judkins delivered. He rushed for 96 yards on 17 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt, and scored two first-half touchdowns.
His 30-yard run set up a five-yard touchdown that cut Tennessee's lead in half, and his six-yard scoring run in the second quarter tied the game at 14.
Judkins entered Sunday with just one rushing touchdown through his first five appearances this season. He added two more against Tennessee while helping Cleveland establish a running game that produced a season-high 183 yards.
The Browns have been looking for more consistency on the ground, and Judkins provided exactly what they needed.
Andre Szmyt — Kicker
For the second consecutive week, Szmyt was the hero celebrating as time expired. The Browns kicker connected on a 32-yard field goal on the final play to give Cleveland its 27-24 victory.
It followed his game-winning kick against Baltimore the previous week, making him one of the most important players in Cleveland's recent success.
Sunday wasn't perfect. Szmyt missed a 43-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter with Cleveland leading 17-14, giving Tennessee an opportunity to drive down the field and tie the score.
But when Deshaun Watson moved the Browns into position in the final minute, Szmyt got another chance. This time, he delivered, showing the ability to put an earlier mistake behind him when the game was on the line. Absolutely clutch.
ZEROS
The Browns' Run Defense
We're making one exception to the individual-player format because Cleveland's biggest defensive problem Sunday wasn't limited to one player.
Tennessee running back Tony Pollard rushed for 129 yards on 25 carries and scored all three Titans touchdowns. He wasted little time making his presence felt, breaking loose for a 36-yard touchdown on Tennessee's opening possession before adding a 10-yard score on the next drive.
Pollard's third touchdown came from one yard out with 58 seconds remaining, tying the game at 24 and nearly sending Cleveland to overtime.
The Browns eventually made enough defensive plays to win, including a crucial goal-line stand and two takeaways. But allowing three rushing touchdowns to one player is a problem, particularly for a team preparing to face Pittsburgh in another important AFC North matchup.
That said, no one need panic over this defensive line as it remains one of Cleveland's biggest strengths.
Jerry Jeudy — Wide Receiver
Jeudy wasn't responsible for any of Cleveland's biggest mistakes, but his limited production was disappointing in a game when the passing offense generated 308 yards.
The veteran receiver caught four passes for just 21 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per reception. Meanwhile, Concepcion finished with 129 receiving yards, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. added another 91.
Jeudy's quiet afternoon didn't prevent the Browns from winning, but Cleveland needs more production from one of its established receivers. With the rookie Concepcion becoming more of a focus of the offense, Jeudy will need to find ways to make a greater impact.
Honorable Mentions: Deshaun Watson and Harold Fannin Jr.
Watson completed 25 of 36 passes for 308 yards, his first 300-yard passing performance with Cleveland, and scored on a nine-yard run in the fourth quarter. He also led the final 55-yard drive after Tennessee tied the game with less than a minute remaining.
Fannin caught six passes for 91 yards, including the critical 36-yard reception on the winning drive. The rookie went into full beast mode after the catch, breaking tackles and fighting for extra yards to put the Browns in position for Szmyt's winning kick.
Both deserve recognition for helping Cleveland escape with another victory. The Browns still have plenty to clean up, but at 5-2, they're finding ways to win games that easily could have gone the other way.
