Browns muster up game-winning drive as Gordon makes season debut
Brian Hoyer looked like he should have been benched late in the Browns’ contest against Atlanta. The quarterback threw three interceptions, including what would have been a go-ahead touchdown to Josh Gordon in the end zone, which was snagged by Falcons defensive back Desmond Trufant.
Still, Hoyer was able to make amends and led a game-winning drive to set up Billy Cundiff — who missed a 38-yard attempt earlier in the game — with a game-winning, 37-yard field goal. The kick was good, giving the Browns a 26-24 victory.
The win puts Cleveland at 7-4 and behind Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the division standings, pending the outcome of the Ravens-Saints game, but still very much alive in the hunt in the AFC North. Atlanta, which entered Week 12 leading the NFC South at 4-6, now trails the Saints pending Monday night’s game. As a division, the NFC South is 6-22-1 in non-divisional games.
Making his season debut after a suspension, Gordon was quickly re-inserted as the focal point of Cleveland’s offense. Gordon was targeted 40 percent of the Browns’ pass plays and hauled in eight catches for 120 yards, the most receiving yards by a Browns player this season.
