[2022] Browns Bulletin, Week 6 - Undefeated (*)

[Piercewise1]

 

The Browns once again flirted with disaster after not one but TWO late game miscues, but they escaped without a loss by tying the Minnesota Vikings 17-17.

 

Despite coming in with only 1 interception on the season, James Rivera got picked off twice. The first, deep in Browns territory, set the Vikings up with a short field and a game-tying touchdown in the 3rd quarter. The second came with 7 minutes left in overtime and could have cost them the game if not for a defensive stand that forced a punt. But the Browns weren’t done. A failed 4th down attempt in the final minute turned the ball over to the Vikings again in Browns territory, but after a long pass play ended in-bounds the clock ran out.

 

Minnesota fans were left fuming at their team’s poor clock management. It started at the end of regulation, when the team appeared to be driving for a game-winning field goal in the final two minutes. But with the clock running after a short pass, QB Christian Sinnock raced under center and spiked the ball without realizing it was 4th down. The Browns got the ball back and ran out the clock to force overtime. In total the Vikings had 3 drives in Browns territory in the game’s final 12 minutes (counting OT) but came away with 0 points.

 

For all their luck both good and bad, the Browns did a couple things well: they pressured the quarterback, sacking Sinnock 3 times and forcing him into quick throws; and they ran the ball well, with Juan Mora racking up 187 yards and a score on 30 carries. Mora also caught Rivera’s only touchdown on a 5-yard swing pass. It wasn’t enough to win, but it was enough to remain technically undefeated for another week.

 

The Browns are on their bye this Sunday, but will return Week 8 with their biggest test yet when they face off against the currently undefeated (no asterisk) Jacksonville Jaguars in Cleveland.