It was too little too late, but at least the Cleveland Browns gave the fans at least something to watch at the end as quarterback Jameis Winston connected with wide receiver Cedric Tillman late against the Los Angeles Chargers.
They were probably already looking forward to the 2025 NFL draft anyway.
With under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Winston hit receiver Tillman for an impressive 17-yard touchdown grab. The 12-play, 70-yard drive cut the lead to 27-10 late in the fourth quarter in a game that was all but over.
Cedric Tillman with 17-yard TD grab#LACvsCLE on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/JiPRuYZtJ6
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 3, 2024
Winston completed five of seven passes on the scoring drive, including a third-down conversion to tight end Jordan Akins and a 13-yard completion to Tillman earlier in the drive. Running back Pierre Strong Jr. rushed twice for eight yards during the garbage-time drive, with a long rush of seven yards.
The Los Angeles defense was as good as advertised in Week 9, forcing three turnovers and providing lockdown coverage all game long. Cleveland’s run game couldn’t get going, averaging just 3.3 yards per rush against a stout Chargers defense that played in a two-high shell for most of the game.
Tillman was a bright spot on a tough day, finishing with six catches on 11 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. The second-year receiver has now had three straight inspiring outings, but the lack of a run game and continued miscommunications in the secondary cost the Browns a chance at a second win in a row.