By Brooke Young

The Cleveland Browns faced the Tennessee Titans this afternoon — Sunday, December 6, in a matchup of roller-coaster emotions, passionate play, and surprises from both teams. After intense speculation from national media, opposing teams, and fans alike, Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns proved that they have more than running the ball up their sleeve. 

The Browns walked away with a Week 13 victory, capitalizing on a weak performance from the Titans during the first half. The final score was 41-35.

The Browns hold the longest active playoff drought in the National Football League, dating back to 2002. Many of the Cleveland fans have remained steadfast to their team, despite seasons with few wins, dramatic penalties, and most recently the ACL injury tostar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this season.

Many thought that losing Odell would dampen the Browns season. However, they kept their heads down and set out to prove the NFL world wrong. 

This team has suffered intense scrutiny in terms of Mayfield throughout the last two seasons as he dealt with shaky passes, interceptions, and questionable plays abounding in several games. The Browns running game has rested on the shoulders of star running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, with Jarvis Landry — wide receiver — the recipient of several of Mayfield’s questionable passes.

In a game where they were projected to take a loss, the Cleveland Browns faced the Tennessee Titans in Nashville with both chasing AFC playoff spots. Surprisingly, it was the Browns that looked like the team leading a division, not the Titans. 

Mayfield threw for his season-high 334 yards and 4 touchdown passes in the first half alone. 

However, in the second half, the Titans reclaimed their dominance and outscored the Browns by 28-3. The effort was admirable, but the results unable to change the tide of a victory already well won in the first half. 

Throughout the game, fans were consistently surprised by the occurrences.

The rushing leader of the NFL- Derrick Henry- unfortunately, suffered his first fumble of the season. Last year, he suffered only one fumble as well. Visibly shaken and upset on camera, it was easy to feel compassion for Henry, as his mistake cost Tennessee to lose a valuable opportunity, as the Cleveland Browns continued to pile on the touchdowns. 

Consistently throughout the game, the Titans defense was able to keep the Browns running offense in check, focusing in on Nick Chubb multiple times throughout.

What they did not anticipate, however, was the strong passing that Mayfield initiated and the exceptional effort demonstrated not only by his relievers, but unique members of the team as well.

They relied on the element of surprise to get the job done in the first half. 

Baker Mayfield lined up in the shotgun. A typical afternoon for a Quarterback. The ball was immediately handed to Nick Chubb. Jarvis Landry wheeled back into the backfield and took the reins from Chubb, throwing to Mayfield on an exceedingly unpredictable and athletic catch, presumably, one of the first of his career. 

The second trick play was 310 pound Browns offensive lineman — Kendall Lamm — catching the ball in the end zone, scoring a touchdown. 

The afternoon was certainly eventful in Nashville.

Looking forward to next week, the Titans (8-4) will go back to the drawing board after this Week 13 loss. The good news is that Tennessee will hold onto first place in the AFC South despite the Indianapolis Colts also improving to 8-4 with a win over the Houston Texans. They will take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville where they are favored -9.5. 

Continuing their ascent to the top and hoping for a  position, the Browns will take on the Baltimore Ravens during Week 14(a matchup they lost the first time around). The Browns are a much better team heading into Week 14 than they were in the season opener against the Ravens and we should expect a much different outcome this time around.

Brooke is a sports writer for La Tonique Media.