Browns cool the heat with 31-6 romp over Dolphins

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’ 31-6 victory over Miami Dolphins … 

1. Beautiful day: Already drenched by a steady pre-game rain, the crowd booed when the Browns went three-and-out on their first possession. But the ugly afternoon that could have happened, didn’t. The Browns emphasized Quinshon Judkins (three touchdowns) early, had four takeaways, and parlayed an undisciplined Miami defense into a 31-6 romp. It was the most lopsided Browns victory in 34 games since a 27-0 rout of the Cardinals in 2023 and the second-biggest victory margin in Kevin Stefanski’s six years as head coach. It halted a three-game losing streak and that mind-numbing streak of not scoring 20 points at 11 games. One of Miami’s defensive penalties erased a Dillon Gabriel interception, allowing the Browns to extend to three games in a row without a giveaway. Judkins is the first Browns back to score three TDs since Nick Chubb in 2022. The Dolphins contributed 11 accepted penalties for 103 yards.

2. Turnover party: The Browns’ four takeaways were their most in a game since October 22, 2023 against the Colts. They came on a Rayshawn Jenkins recovery of a fumble forced by Grant Delpit on a kickoff, a Tyson Campbell Pick 6, and interceptions by Jenkins and Ronnie Hickman.

3. No Shedeur: The Dolphins pulled Tua Tagovailoa with 8:16 to play and the game out of reach. Tagovailoa was 12 of 23 for 100 yards and three interceptions in compiling a passer rating of 24.1. Rookie Quinn Ewers, elevated for the first time to QB2, was ineffective given the deficit he inherited. Stefanski did not insert Shedeur Sanders. He let Gabriel finish the game with victory formation in his first NFL win. Gabriel was 13 of 18 for 116 yards with a passer rating of 89.1.

4. Nice trade, AB: The Andrew Berry trade of Greg Newsome for Campbell paid off big time. In his second game with the Browns, Campbell saved two touchdowns and scored one. That’s a heck of a game for a cornerback. His first TD save came when he ran down De’Von Achane as the Miami running back was on his way to a 77-yard TD run. Campbell chased down Achane at the Browns’ 31 after a 46-yard gain. Miami later kicked a short field goal. His second TD save came on a nice breakup of a pass for Jaylen Waddle in the end zone in the final 2 minutes of the first half. Campbell was able to break up the pass because he turned his head at the last minute and saw the ball – something he didn’t do a week ago in Pittsburgh. Then on the first play of the second half, Campbell scored on a 34-yard interception return. The play was set up when Jenkins slammed into Achane as Tua Tagavoila’s pass arrived and it deflected to Campbell, who made a nice move stay inbounds and run it in.

5. Special teams gaffe, of course: Miami tacked on a field goal at the end of the first half, thanks to the Browns’ special teams. The defense held at the Browns’ 24 and forced a 43-yard Riley Patterson field goal try. It banged off the left upright. But Shelby Harris was called for interfering with snapper Joe Cardona. The defense held again in the red zone. Patterson then made a field goal from 26 yards to close the Browns’ lead at halftime to 17-6. At the half, Gabriel attempted only seven passes, completing five, and the Browns ran 23 times with Judkins (18 attempts, 75 yards, 2 TDs) leading the way.

6. What a reprieve: Gabriel was spared about four interceptions in Pittsburgh last week because of drops by Steelers’ DBs. It looked like his luck ran out when he overthrew Harold Fannin and was intercepted by Ashtyn Davis in the second quarter. But he was reprieved again when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was called for pass interference away from the ball and the INT was erased.

7. Double dip: On the very next play after Fitzpatrick’s penalty, Judkins took a handoff, blasted through the line, beat Fitzpatrick’s tackle attempt and out-raced DBs Rasul Douglas and Ethan Bonner to the end zone for a 46-yard TD. On the ensuing kickoff, Delpit knocked the ball free from returner Dee Eskridge and Jenkins recovered. (Delpit, by the way, had an outstanding game, with a sack and also a fourth-down stop of Malik Washington after a catch at the Browns’ 27 in the third quarter.) Ten plays later, Judkins scored again, taking the snap from the Wildcat QB position, juggling it, and ramming his way for a 3-yard TD. And just like that, the Browns had their biggest lead of the season, 17-3.

8. Oompah!: Carson Schwesinger excited the crowd with a tackle of Achane in the second quarter. Schwesinger beat a block, stopped Achane in his tracks and tossed him to the ground with a thud for a 2-yard loss.

9. Signs of things to come: For the first time this year, the Browns took the ball first. They punted after a three-and-out. But the decision, while weather-related, foretold a controlled aggressiveness on offense. On the next possession, Gabriel made a thread-the-needle completion to Jerry Jeudy for 17 yards, and Judkins had some good runs. Another portent was the lack of discipline on Miami’s defense. Penalties by Chop Robinson (illegal contact) and Zach Sieler (roughing the passer) extended the field-goal drive.

10. Pre-game notes: Jack Conklin was inactive for the fourth time in seven games. Conklin has missed games this season with a poke-in-the-eye, an elbow injury, and a concussion. In another switch, the Browns replaced Conklin at right tackle with Cornelius Lucas, who was inactive last week. These actions assured the seventh different starting offensive line in seven games. Other Browns inactives: cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse, running back Rocket Sanders, defensive tackle Mike Hall, and tight end David Njoku.