The Cleveland Browns handed the Detroit Lions — and the rest of the NFC North — an unexpected gift on Sunday.
The Browns (1-2) downed the Green Bay Packers (2-1) with a game-winning field goal from kicker Andre Szmyt to give Cleveland a come-from-behind 13-10 victory. It was the first Browns lead of the game, as they went scoreless until the 3:38 mark of the fourth quarter.
Advertisement
With the Browns down 10-0 midway through the fourth quarter, starting quarterback Joe Flacco orchestrated a 12-play, 63-yard drive that ended in a 35-yard field goal from Szmyt to get Cleveland on the board. Three plays later, Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw an interception to Cleveland safety Grant Delpit, and Delpit’s run back set the Browns up at the Green Bay four-yard line.
Browns running back Quinshon Judkins punched the ball into the end zone two plays later to tie the game up at 10-10, but with three minutes left in the game, it gave Love and the Packers plenty of time for a game-winning drive.
It looked like they were doing just that, with a five-play, 35-yard drive that set up kicker Brandon McManus with a 43-yard attempt with 27 seconds left to play. However, his attempt was blocked by Browns special teamer Shelby Harris, giving Cleveland the ball back around midfield.
LIONS READING: Jacob Saylors nearly quit before making Lions roster: ‘He has grit written all over him’
Advertisement
An 8-yard pass from Flacco to receiver Jerry Jeudy put Cleveland in a comfortable field-goal range. After Flacco spiked the ball to stop the clock with two seconds left, Szmyt nailed the 55-yard field goal as time expired to give the Browns a 13-10 win.
With the loss, the Packers fall to 2-1 on the season, giving the Lions a chance to end the week with a first-place tie atop the NFC North with a win over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Browns comeback over Packers a gift for Lions in NFC North battle