Looks Like Mr. Mo Mentum May Be Changing His Address

Momentum doesn’t exist, or at least some coaches don’t want it to exist. That want is understandable because when you lead, you want to worry only about the things you can control. A pick-six on the second play of the game on a perfect deflection bounce? Not under control. Momentum is the chaos of human events in action; you can feel it, but you can’t control it. A Hail Mary attempt with the backup quarterback right before the half instead of attempting a 60-yard field goal? That is control leading to chaos.Baltimore came into Sunday’s game with all the momentum in the NFL. The defense had arrived and was dominant, even surpassing the Browns’ strong unit in yards allowed and scoring coming in. The offense had bloomed under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, with Lamar Jackson playing his best ball under his lead, unlike when Monken couldn’t reach Baker Mayfield or Freddie Kitchens in his lone 2019 season coaching in Cleveland. Then from the second snap, Baltimore took the lead with their defense. Soon they were up 14-0 and I saw the ball rolling downhill as I prepared for the Browns to ruin my Sunday once again. But momentum is fickle, and the Browns had that dawg in them Sunday. Kevin Stefanski worked around backups to backups starting on the offensive line and brought life to the offense when I was ready to pack up the game, turn the TV off, and do some chores. The Browns kept it close in the first half thanks to Dustin Hopkins. Though they went into the half only down one possession at 17-9, the Browns had a chance to get even closer on the last drive before the break after they had intercepted Lamar Jackson. PJ Walker’s long pass attempt fell short of the endzone to close the half. The skeptic in me was worried about a 60-yard field goal attempt instead of that pass, but the pessimistic Browns fan in me was even more worried this failed pass attempt and the Ravens getting the ball to start the second half was the killer of momentum, that all of Stefanski’s steadying of the ship to keep the game close would fall short just like his passing decision. The second half would prove both of me wrong.This was a complete team win even though all three phases had hiccups that would normally kill the Browns. Remember when the Browns lost a game to the Jets last year because of a missed extra point (and bad defense)? Sunday had that, a muffed punt, defensive penalties on 3rd downs extending drives for the Ravens, and a 6-20 first-half passing performance from Deshaun Watson. But in the true nature of chaos, the Browns had counters for all of it: A blocked Justin Tucker field goal, a deflected pass pick-six for Greg Newsome, and a perfect 14-14 passing attack in the second half, giving Watson 213 passing yards on the day, and Elijah Moore’s first touchdown catch as a Brown. Jerome Ford and David Njoku personified the momentum swing in the Browns’ favor with a rugby scrum gaining an extra 15 yards and a bullying run after catch carrying a safety for an extra 10 yards instead of just a 5-yard gain, respectively. The Browns would not be stopped as Hopkins collected himself after the missed extra point to drill the game-winning field goal as time expired on an NFL Sunday featuring five total games that ended in last-second scores to win it. It’s not often the Browns have been on the positive side of those moments, but this one time, this one game, they were in control of the momentum swing.Stefanski was cooking against the Ravens. Every year I tell myself, just one time. It only needs to happen one time, and then I’ll really believe. The offense will put up points in bunches and the defense will actually be better this year under a new coordinator. Myles Garrett will put it all together and carry the team in times of need. The special teams will collectively get its head out of their butt and just do their jobs. This is the chance for the Browns to do things the winning way, not just the scrappy or lucky way. If Deshaun Watson’s shoulder can ever reattach itself properly, the Browns might cook a whole stew instead of just a meaty steak of defense and a raw vegetable offense. Right now, it smells like the team is simmering and the flavors are just starting to blend perfectly.Cincinnati finally slowed down on Sunday (shoutout to CJ Stroud doing amazing things in crunch time for the Texans) and Pittsburgh keeps gutting out one-possession wins even though they still have a negative point differential for the season, and have been outgained in every single game of the season. Every team in the AFC North is above .500. The Browns have a chance to improve to 3-2 against division opponents next week against the Steelers and truly show they are not playing this year to be beaten up by older brothers and be defeated when the going gets tough. They can control themselves and the game, bringing chaos to their opponents in the form of a creative offense, a talented special teams, and a hunting defense hungry for the next splash play. As Stefanski loves to say, next week is another chance to go 1-0.One time, one year. Maybe this is finally our chance to win the race down Cherry Hill and beat the older brothers in the division. As of Sunday, I am starting to hope.