Could it be true? Did good luck smile Sunday on the Charlie — errr, Cleveland Browns? It did, and Week 6 of the NFL season was livelier for it. Jake Moody’s kick went wide right in wet, windy Cleveland, resulting in a 19-17 victory that dealt the 49ers their first defeat. The miss likely thrilled NFL executives who care only about the industry’s bottom line. Good for NFL business, Cleveland won as a 9.
How they did it: True to the style they’ve evolved under new coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Browns blitzed to good effect in front of tight man-to-coverage. Tackle Dalvin Tomlinson led a disruptive front, and fast linebacker Jerimiah Owusu-Koramoah had three tackles for loss. Two, their ground attack went for 160 yards on 4.7 per carry. Injuries put each team to extraordinary tests.