Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger made an impression on the home crowd and Rams QB Dresser Winn with a big hit on the third play of the game. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Instant takeaways from Browns 19-17 win over Los Angeles Rams …
1. That’s a wrap: Rams coach Sean McVay historically plays his last preseason game with maybe only a handful of players who make his final roster, including specialists. That was the case on Saturday, so one has to be cautious about overreacting to anything the Browns did in their 19-17 victory, which wrapped up a 3-0 preseason record. But it’s all we have to go on. The Browns’ first teams were understandably dominant. Joe Flacco (9 of 10, 71 yards, TD to Harold Fannin) played pitch-and-catch for three series, and Jim Schwartz’s defense shut out sacrificial lamb quarterback Dresser Winn (0 for 3, 13 yards total offense). After that, Dillon Gabriel was very good in producing nine points in two possessions, including a pretty impressive 2-minute drive for a touchdown at the end of the first half. Shedeur Sanders came in third at quarterback to start the second half and struggled with the third-team offense. Sanders failed to gain a first down on his first four possessions. They ended with a scramble out of bounds for a sack, an incompletion, a strip-sack which the Browns recovered, and handoff after consecutive sacks for a total of 26 yards in lost yardage. Sanders’ fifth possession ended in an incompletion after one first down. All told, he was 3 of 6 for 14 yards and sacked five times, and was not given the chance to pull out the game in the final 2 minutes.
2. Snoop, Szmyt to the rescue: After the Rams pummeled the Browns’ fourth defense for a go-ahead touchdown, coach Kevin Stefanski called on veteran Tyler Huntley with 2:03 to play. Huntley moved the offense to the Rams’ 19 and backup kicker Andre Szymt nailed a 37-yard field goal for the game-winner.
3. Cuts coming: All teams must reduce rosters to 53 by Tuesday at 4. One of the big questions is if the Browns keep all four quarterbacks on the 53. That could be true on the initial 53. But with Kenny Pickett not playing because of his Grade 2 strained hamstring, the option of putting him on short-term injured reserve exists. If they go that route, it would most likely result in Gabriel starting the season as QB2. We shall see.
4. That’s how it’s done: Gabriel looked like a veteran executing a flawless 2-minute drive at the end of the first half. He was surgical on first and second downs taking the offense from the 14-yard line to the Rams’ 19 in 1:26. The Browns called their third timeout with :26 left and Gabriel facing third-and-6. From the shotgun, Gabriel fired a perfectly-placed ball to Jamari Thrash breaking for the left sideline. Thrash grabbed it at eye level and stepped out of bounds at the 3 with :17 on the clock. Gabriel finished it off with an easy throw to Gage Larvadain breaking to the left corner of the end zone. On the series, Gabriel was 9 of 11 for 80 yards and the TD. He moved the offense 86 yards in 11 plays, consuming 1 minute, 38 seconds. On Gabriel’s first series, he took the offense from the 20 to the Rams’ 10 in 14 plays. Then on third-and-8, Gabriel rolled to his left with time and forced the ball for Thrash, who was covered closely, in the left corner. Kaden Davis was open drifting that way just inside the goal line. Hopkins kicked the short field goal. So Gabriel produced 9 points in two series.
5. Kicking concerns: Dustin Hopkins looked to be out of the woods early in the game. He made his first PAT try, and followed with an excellent directional kickoff that enabled the coverage unit to tackle the returner at the 16-yard line. And then … Hopkins was a bit shaky on a 28-yard field goal, sneaking the ball inside the left upright. And at the end of the first half, he missed a PAT wide left.
6. Starting reps: The offense started the game with Zak Zinter filling in at left guard for rested Joel Bitonio. On the second series, center Ethan Pocic went down with a knee injury and was replaced by Luke Wypler. On the third series, Jackson Barton replaced Jack Conklin at right tackle. Defensively, Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire were the ends, Cam Mitchell and Dom Ford were the cornerbacks, and Myles Harden played nickel back. Jim Schwartz pulled his defensive starters after three dominant series against Rams third-stringers.
7. Meet Mr. Schwesinger: On the Rams’ first third-down play, Carson Schwesinger timed his blitz in the middle of the defense perfectly and flew in untouched to level Winn just as he was releasing the ball.
8. Gotta make the catch: Interceptions are a big emphasis on Schwartz’s defense this year and Harden was visibly upset he dropped one early in the game. On the Rams’ second possession, McGuire dived at Winn just as he was releasing the ball from the end zone for Brennan Pressley. Harden went up for the ball at the left sideline, got both hands on it, and fumbled it.
9. Every play counts: Ahmani Marshall is trying to convince the Browns he can be their big back in the absence of Quinshon Judkins. That requires him to pick up a blitz on occasion. He didn’t do that vs. linebacker Elias Neal, who recorded the only sack of Flacco. On another note, however, Marshall pounded ahead to pick up a first down on a third-and-2 carry later with Gabriel at quarterback.
10. Injuries: Pocic left with a knee injury. Tight end Blake Whiteheart also had a knee injury, running back Pierre Strong left with a concussion, and defensive end Julian Okwara left with a rib injury.
11. Pre-game notes: Healthy starters who were DNPs were defensive end Myles Garrett, cornerback Greg Newsome, and left guard Joel Bitonio. Players who’ve missed practices with injuries and were DNPs were cornerback Denzel Ward, quarterback Kenny Pickett, receiver Cedric Tillman, linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, linebacker Winston Reid, and offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas.