Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku had a sensational game in the 20-27 win over the Chicago Bears. He caught a game-high 10 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown, including two crucial 30-plus-yard receptions in the Browns’ final drive to set up Dustin Hopkins’ game-winning field goal.
But his reaction to the Bears’ last-second Hail Mary heave that failed was almost as incredible as his stat sheet.
“I damn near s— myself, dog.” Njoku told reporters after the game. “Luckily our defense made an exceptional play, sealed the game, and that was it.”
For those curious, here’s how close the Bears got to winning the game in the final seconds:
HOLY OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/l6fbNhvmW8
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
Bears wideout Darnell Mooney had the ball in his hands before it popped up and into the gloves of Browns safety D’Anthony Bell. So between the Bears spot on the field, the throw and the almost-catch, it’s fair to assume Njoku wasn’t completely wrong to feel that way at the end of the game.
Njoku is having a sensational season in his seventh year with Cleveland. He’s already set career-highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns with 69, 704 and five, respectively. Those numbers rank fifth, seventh and tied for sixth, respectively, among tight ends this season.
“It’s not me. It’s a team effort,” he said after the game. “Everybody from the kicker to the snapper to the offense, defense, special teams, it’s everybody. It’s not me. The last thing I want you guys to think is that it was my doing, because it is not. It’s God first and then it’s the team. It was a team effort that we were able to win and we’re on to next week.”
Njoku has also developed a nice rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco. He’s become the veteran’s go-to pass-catcher during Cleveland’s two-game winning streak. Thee two have connected on 16 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns over the past two games.
