The Cleveland Browns know how to win at the last possible moment.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins’ game-sealing 34-yard field goal at the end of the Browns’ Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears set a franchise record for most wins in the final two minutes of regulation, according to ESPN. The 20-17 victory vaulted the Browns to 9-5 as well – further cementing their hold on a wildcard spot and giving head coach Kevin Stefanski his first winning season since 2020.
Down 17-10 with 3:08 left in the game, Joe Flacco tied up the contest with a 51-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Amari Cooper. The defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing Bears possession to give the Browns a shot to win with less than two minutes to play. Flacco found tight end David Njoku twice for 65 yards to put Cleveland in field goal range, which set Hopkins up for the field goal try.
The Browns have won a lot in the waning moments of games, mostly by the leg of Hopkins. The kicker hit the game-winner in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers, Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens and Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The other last-minute win came in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts when running back Kareem Hunt scored the go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds left in the contest.
It’s been a special year for Cleveland in the wake of four quarterback changes and a litany of injuries across the team. And yet, the Browns are squarely in control of their playoff berth over the final three weeks of the season.
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