The Browns didn’t just beat the Bengals on Sunday — they embarrassed them. Years of pent up frustrations were unleashed in Cincinnati, and the hapless Bengals were not prepared for what was heading their way.
6 times the Browns embarrassed the Bengals and had fun doing it
This game had us laughing non-stop.
Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
The score might not reflect it, because the Browns took their foot off the gas in the second half — but to give some context on just how ugly the 35-20 loss was for the Bengals, please consider this incredible stat.
This wasn’t just a case of trying to get a win in a divisional game; it was a chance to make a statement. Browns former head coach Hue Jackson joined the Bengals as an assistant, and it seemed that his presence on the sideline poured gasoline on the fire and made players want to prove themselves a little more than usual.
Look no further than Damarious Randall, who gave his interception ball to Hue.
This is the most cold-blooded thing I have seen in a while. And it stayed cold-blooded when Randall explained why he did it.
Then there was Baker Mayfield who played keep-away.
I’m convinced Baker learned this fake from a kid’s TV show during a football episode, and I’m all about it.
This touchdown just needs to be set to “Up where we belong”
They just carried David Njoku into the end zone. More teams should run this play imo. The Browns have shown you can confuse your opponents into carrying your own guy.
Nick Chubb was balling out.
And Todd Gurley took notice.
Here’s the deal: The Browns look like football is fun again for them, and I’m not going to say it’s because Hue is gone, but I’m also not not saying it. They’re like a kid at the mall who was kept on a leash by their parents and he just broke free. Hue was that leash.
But at least things seem to be cordial:
Baker Mayfield had himself a damn day.
19/25, 4 TD
Anyone doubting he was worth the No. 1 pick anymore?
The NFL is a better place when the Browns are better.
I know there’s joy in having a perennial joke in the league, but it was beyond time to move on and pass that mantle. Everyone had run out of Browns jokes, and Cleveland deserves to have a fun team to watch.
They might not win every game, but there is one more game worth watching every week thanks to the Browns being fun. I know I’ll be watching to see what happens next with this team.
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