The Cleveland Browns beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in a messy fistfight. Neither team could hold onto the ball. However, the Browns fought through their mistakes as they clinched a gritty win as they were led by tight end David Njoku and cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. The Browns game felt more like an execution as they lost multiple starters. Credit to the team: the backups filled their roles without losing a beat.
Defensive backs Ronnie Hickman, Cameron Mitchell, and D’Anthony Bell did a great job of filling in for Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit, and Denzel Ward. Starting fullback Nick Harris did an outstanding job stepping in for Ethan Pocic. Harris looked better as a pulling lineman than as a fullback. The Browns have suffered various injuries this season, but the replacements have been ready to play. Sunday showed that struggle happened once again.
The Browns starters had great games with uncharacteristic mistakes. Amari Cooper fumbled the ball after a heroic effort by a defender. Joe Flacco threw a horrible interception that killed a Browns’ drive. Both players were able to steady their performance and help the team secure the win.
Here are the Studs and Duds in the Browns’ victory against the Jaguars.
Studs: Corey Bojorquez and Dustin Hopkins
Corey Bojorquez was a weapon for the Cleveland Browns. His leg is strong enough to punt balls into the lake. Bojo did an excellent job flipping the field and making the Jaguars start in the shadow of their end zone. His most impressive punt was a 75-yard bomb from the goal line. He didn’t rely solely on brute strength. He showed accuracy and skill when he put backspin on a corner coffin that gently bounced just outside the 20. His only negative play was when he outkicked his coverage as the Browns got slightly burned on a return. Otherwise, it was a fantastic day for the punter. He finished the game with 8 punts for 412 yards.
Dustin Hopkins was perfect for the day as he made all four extra-point attempts and a field goal to keep the game out of reach for the Jaguars. Hopkins kicked a 55-yard dagger that tucked inside the right goal post. The field goal was a close shave, but the stadium was confident of it going in. The Browns have finally found the heir to Phil Dawson. Hopkins has shown he’s a reliable kicker with a powerful leg.
Stud: TE David Njoku
David Njoku looked like the heart and soul of the Browns offense on Sunday. He left everything on the field. The tight end caught six passes on eight targets for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Njoku stuffed the stat sheet, recording a tackle on one of the turnovers.
Njoku’s most impressive play was his second touchdown reception when he ripped off an angry run, breaking multiple tackles for 34 yards. Njoku is a dynamic threat whenever he touches the ball. He’s a bully who welcomes contact. It takes a gang of defenders to wrestle him down to the ground.
Njoku is one of the most physically grueling matchups for opposing defenders. Njoku is a tenacious blocker. He has turned into a complete tight end. The Browns must rely heavily on him as they battle to and through the playoffs.
Stud: CB M.J. Emerson Jr.
Martin Emerson Jr. has blossomed into one of the premier shutdown cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s still in the shadows of his draft classmates Sauce Gardner and Tariq Woolen. The NFL media is starting to shine a light on him with games like Sunday.
Emerson showed the world how elite he was by recording two interceptions and making four tackles. The cornerback shut down one of the best quarterback-wide-receiver pairings in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence could not throw to his side. Emerson bullied Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones throughout their routes.
Emerson shuts down his third of the field. With four interceptions this season, he’s starting to punish teams for throwing at him. The future is bright for the two-year professional cornerback.
Stud: CB Greg Newsome II
Greg Newsome II played extremely well on the outside in Denzel Ward’s absence. After a rocky start against the Denver Broncos, Newsome has tightened up his technique, fortifying the outside post. Newsome intercepted his second pass of his career when Trevor Lawrence tried to test him with a deep ball. Newsome pinned Calvin Ridley to the sideline and completed his route for him. Newsome broke up four passes and made five tackles.
Newsome’s good play and bravado should follow him back to the slot position when Ward returns. The Browns cornerback trio resembled the mythical dog Cerberus when they played together this season. The team needs them together for these final months, as they’ll face more and more passing attacks. They have proven they can shut down any quarterback in the NFL.
Stud: LB Anthony Walker Jr.
Anthony Walker Jr. was Trevor Lawrence’s intellectual rival on Sunday. Walker made sure the defense changed the play when Lawrence was audibling or changing the protection. Walker knew the Jaguars’ game plan inside and out.
Walker was everywhere on the field, making five tackles and forcing a pass breakup. Walker forced and recovered a fumble on a hit to Parker Washington during third down.
The captain of the defense and the Browns’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award displayed the effort and cunning expected from the position and honors. The Browns’ resilience can trace its lineage to Walker’s recovery from a torn quad from last season. Walker has been an inspiration to the team. It’s awesome watching him lead the team.
