Highlights Package from Tough Year of the Cleveland Browns

Even in a season defined by injuries, inconsistent play, and missed opportunities, the Cleveland Browns still delivered moments that made fans cheer, gasp, and remember why they bleed orange and brown. This “highlights package” isn’t just a collection of wins—it’s a celebration of resilience: players stepping up when stars were sidelined, last-minute drives that reignited playoff hope, and defensive stands that reminded everyone of the team’s potential. From Myles Garrett’s dominant sack streaks to Deshaun Watson’s clutch passing, these moments didn’t erase the season’s struggles, but they did shine a light on the heart and talent that lies within the roster. Highlights Package from Tough Year of the Cleveland Browns compiles these unforgettable plays, explains why they mattered, and shows how even in a tough year, the Browns still gave their fans reasons to believe in better days ahead. For the Dawg Pound, these highlights aren’t just replays—they’re reminders of what the team can be when everything clicks.

Highlights Package from Tough Year of the Cleveland Browns begins with the season’s opening statement: a Week 1 upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals, a division rival that had dominated the Browns in recent years. Trailing 17-14 with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter, Watson led a 75-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper—capping a performance that saw Watson throw for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Garrett record 2 sacks and a forced fumble. The win wasn’t just a statement of intent; it was a rare opening-week victory for the Browns, who had gone 1-5 in Week 1 games since 2018. “That game felt like a fresh start,” Cooper said after the win. “We knew the season would have challenges, but to start with a win over a team like the Bengals? It gave us confidence.” The highlight reel from Week 1 includes not just the game-winning touchdown, but also a viral moment: Garrett chasing down Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow from behind, stripping the ball, and recovering it to stop a potential game-tying drive in the third quarter. For fans, the win was a glimmer of hope—proof that the team’s offseason changes could translate to on-field success.

A standout individual highlight from the tough year came courtesy of Nick Chubb, who turned in a career-best performance in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite the Browns ultimately losing 27-24 in overtime, Chubb rushed for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 65-yard run in the second quarter where he broke four tackles, outran the Cardinals’ secondary, and crossed the end zone untouched. The run was named the NFL’s “Play of the Week” and quickly went viral on social media, with fans and analysts alike praising Chubb’s combination of speed, strength, and elusiveness. “Nick’s run that day was something special—you don’t see plays like that very often,” said Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. “Even in a loss, he gave this team and our fans a moment they’ll remember for a long time.” Chubb’s performance that week also solidified his status as one of the NFL’s top running backs: he finished the game averaging 7.1 yards per carry, and his 192 rushing yards were the most by any Browns player in a single game since 2018. For fans, the play was a reminder of Chubb’s reliability—even when the offense around him struggled, he could still take over a game.

Highlights Package from Tough Year of the Cleveland Browns also features a defensive masterclass that came at a critical time: Week 14’s 24-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, a division rival that had beaten the Browns twice the previous season. The Browns’ defense, which had been decimated by injuries earlier in the year, held the Steelers to just 234 total yards, forced 3 turnovers, and recorded 4 sacks—including a game-sealing sack by Alex Wright in the final minute. The highlight of the game was a third-quarter interception by Denzel Ward, who had just returned from a three-game injury absence: Ward jumped a route intended for Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, picked off the pass, and returned it 35 yards to the Steelers’ 10-yard line, setting up a Chubb touchdown that gave the Browns a 17-10 lead. “That interception was huge—it changed the momentum of the game,” Ward said after the win. For the Cleveland Browns, this defensive performance wasn’t just a win over a rival—it was a sign that the team’s defense could still dominate when healthy. The game tape from Week 14 has since been used in team meetings as an example of “how we’re supposed to play defense,” Stefanski noted, a reminder of the unit’s potential.

Another unforgettable highlight from the tough year was a last-minute comeback win in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts, a game that the Browns trailed 17-10 with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter. Watson, who had struggled for much of the game, led a 90-yard drive that included a 40-yard pass to Cooper and a 15-yard scramble to get the Browns to the Colts’ 5-yard line. With 10 seconds left, Watson threw a touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant, tying the game at 17-17 and sending it to overtime. In overtime, the Browns’ defense forced a Colts punt, and Watson led another drive that ended with a 35-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins, giving the Browns a 20-17 win. The comeback was Watson’s first game-winning drive as a Brown, and it quickly became a fan favorite—with replays of Watson’s scramble and Bryant’s touchdown being shared across social media for weeks. “That win showed us what we’re capable of when we don’t give up,” Watson said. For the Cleveland Browns, the comeback wasn’t just a boost to their playoff hopes (they improved to 5-4 with the win); it was a lesson in resilience. Even when things aren’t going right, the team could still find a way to win—something that would carry them through later struggles.

Highlights Package from Tough Year of the Cleveland Browns wraps up with a moment that transcended wins and losses: the team’s Week 12 “Salute to Service” game against the Houston Texans, where the Browns honored military members and first responders, and fans rallied around the community. The highlight of the day wasn’t a play on the field, but a pre-game ceremony where a 92-year-old World War II veteran, John Smith, was invited to flip the coin—and received a standing ovation from the entire stadium. During the game, the Browns also recognized local first responders who had helped during a recent storm in Cleveland, and fans donated over $50,000 to military charities through a team-organized fundraiser. On the field, the Browns won 27-14, with Garrett recording 2 sacks and Chubb rushing for 120 yards, but the real highlight was the connection between the team, the fans, and the community. “Days like that remind us that football is more than a game,” said Browns president Alec Scheiner. For the Cleveland Browns community, this moment was a highlight because it showed the team’s heart—not just on the field, but off it. Even in a tough year, the Browns still found ways to give back, to honor those who serve, and to bring the community together. In the end, that’s the kind of highlight that lasts longer than any touchdown or sack—it’s a reminder of what the Browns stand for, no matter how the season goes.