Jameis Winston brought some much-needed energy to the Cleveland Browns’ offense.
Stepping in for the injured Deshaun Watson, Winston threw for an impressive 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-24 win over their rival, the Baltimore Ravens, moving the Browns to 2-6.
“This is the kind of win we need to turn the season around,” Winston said after the game, according to The Associated Press. “We’ve got a long way to go, but this is a great start.”
It was the first time the Browns scored more than 20 points in a game in 2024, a milestone they’d been struggling to reach all season. Winston also became the first Cleveland quarterback to throw for over 300 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a game since Jacoby Brissett did it in 2022.
“He was confident in the huddle, talking the whole time,” said Browns guard Joel Bitonio. “Some of what he said was a little out there, but he was ready. He threw the ball well—300 yards, three touchdowns, and the game-winner. He brought a lot of energy, but that’s just who he is.”
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Under Watson, the Browns’ offense had been stagnant, struggling to sustain drives or make big plays. Watson hadn’t reached 300 passing yards in any of his 19 starts with Cleveland, and hadn’t even hit 200 yards in seven starts this season. But with Winston, the offense had a new rhythm and sharpness, something fans hadn’t seen since Joe Flacco’s late-season push in last year’s playoffs. Winston brought a level of fearlessness and accuracy that helped the team move the ball efficiently.
“I thought Jameis played really well,” said head coach Kevin Stefanski. “The protection was solid, and he made smart decisions. He wasn’t perfect, and he won’t be, but he played well, and I’m proud of him.”
Of course, Winston’s aggressive style has its heart-stopping moments. After the Ravens took the lead late in the game, Winston led a 74-yard touchdown drive, finishing with a 38-yard bomb to Cedric Tillman with just over a minute left. But on the play before that, he nearly threw an interception to Kyle Hamilton, who couldn’t quite hold onto the ball.
“I started praying right away,” Winston said with a laugh when talking about the near-pick.
“Oh my God!” added Elijah Moore, who was the intended target on the play. “The football gods were definitely with us on that one.”
With Winston at quarterback and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey calling the shots, the Browns finally looked like a team capable of climbing out of their early-season struggles. While they’re currently sitting at 2-6 and in 11th place in the AFC, they’ve got some momentum and are looking to keep pushing forward in the tightly contested conference.
