EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Smiling in another victorious Cleveland Browns postgame locker room, cornerback Denzel Ward made light of the team's latest close victory before getting serious."I got to give the fans something to watch and enjoy, you know," he said. "It boosts the NFL ratings, so I know they are loving that. But no, we definitely just got to continue to fight early on, to eliminate the mistakes and just put us in better position towards the end of the game to where it don't have to be a last-second drop."The Browns' latest game-winning drive, an NFL-high fifth this season, saw them face a first-quarter 14-point deficit to the Tennessee Titans before rallying late for kicker Andre Szmyt's game-winning 32-yard field goal as time expired in a 27-24 win.The victory moved the AFC North-leading Browns to 5-2 for the first time since 2020 and just the second time since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999. Their growth, though, and legitimacy in the AFC hierarchy will be tested in Sunday's divisional matchup against the host Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS). The Browns defeated the Steelers in Pittsburgh in their first matchup, a 27-24 win in Week 4, but haven't won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh since October 2003, which spans 22 straight losses.Despite the Browns' strong start to the season, Cleveland's minus-13 point differential is the second lowest by a team to start 5-2 or better over the past decade (behind only the 2020 Browns, who had a minus-21 point margin). Almost every victory has followed a similar script: a slow start, typically on offense, followed by clutch plays late to eke out a close win.Struggles particularly on offense (19 points per game, fifth fewest in the NFL) are a big reason why the Browns still have the lowest odds to win the AFC North, despite having a 2-0 record in the division with wins against the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. According to ESPN Analytics, Cleveland has a 5.5% chance to win the division. The Browns also have a 26.8% chance to reach the playoffs, the lowest odds in the division.Cleveland, though, witnessed signs of growth against the Titans, specifically on the side of the ball that has seen the most issues. The unit totaled a season-high 491 yards as quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 308 yards, his first 300-yard passing game with the Browns."That was the most complete game," Browns coach Todd Monken said. "That was close to Pittsburgh in terms of where to go with the ball, being in control with his composure. The way we operated was better, not perfect, but better on the road. But a real credit to [Watson], and that's all we're trying to do. He has something in him to be able to make plays when it counts and we're trying to flatline our play earlier in the game to be more consistent."The return of running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson from injury also helped spearhead a running game that registered a season-high 183 rushing yards."We ran the ball better. To me that's the biggest thing," Monken said. "It is so hard if you can't run the football, and we've been making it hard."The composure and ability of the Browns to execute late is maybe even more impressive given the team's youth. Cleveland has the second-youngest team in the NFL but hasn't wavered in late-game situations, whether it be at home or on the road."Coach Monk has put us in these situations in practice time after time after time after time again," said rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion, who recorded a career-high 152 scrimmage yards. "So whenever we get into the game and whenever we get into these situations, we already have the confidence to go down there and set up a game-winning drive."There's a delicate balance, though, between appreciating the resiliency that has allowed the Browns to string game-winning drives in each victory and not becoming complacent about the mistakes that have placed them in those close-game predicaments. Watson put a positive spin on Cleveland's string of close wins."We wish we had some blowout games. But again, it's hard to do in this league, man," Watson said. "So right now, I think we finished these games and we build this hope and this chemistry, and this feel where we know we can finish these games, and hopefully soon we can get some of those games where we can put them away."With a young team and a young staff and everyone new, it's actually good and can be beneficial for us in the long run that we have these type of games."
