The Cleveland Browns’ 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos on Monday night sparked a lot of debate, especially around the performance of backup quarterback Jameis Winston. Many fans and media members are likely to point fingers at Winston, blaming him for throwing two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. To some, it’ll feel like déjà vu, recalling Joe Flacco's two pick-6s in last season's playoff loss to Houston. But here’s the thing: while these kinds of plays are certainly frustrating, they come with the territory when you have bold, strong-armed quarterbacks like Winston and Flacco. These quarterbacks can rack up 300 or even 400 yards, but with that comes the risk of interceptions—lots of them.
Winston’s ability to make big throws, though risky at times, gives your team a chance to win games. Even in a loss, his presence on the field keeps the game interesting. This is something that was missing earlier this season when Deshaun Watson was at the helm for the Browns. The team looked stagnant, and the offense lacked a spark. Winston, for all his faults, provides that spark, even if it’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride.
Now, let’s not kid ourselves—Winston is not the long-term answer for the Browns’ quarterback position. But is he a good option as a backup next season, or even a short-term starter if the Browns decide to draft a rookie quarterback? Absolutely. There’s potential here, and the big picture shows that while Winston might have thrown those costly interceptions, there’s a lot more to this story. Let’s dive into the details and break down what went right and wrong for Winston and the Browns in this game.
A Tough Task for Winston: 58 Passes Against a Top Defense
Some will be quick to trash Winston for those two interceptions, but let’s take a step back and look at the context. The Browns asked him to throw the ball 58 times in Denver—against the second-best defense in the NFL. That’s right, 58 attempts. Denver entered Monday night allowing just 17 points per game, and despite the Browns scoring 32 points—second most allowed by the Broncos this season—they couldn’t do much on the ground. The running game was non-existent, with the Browns only managing 77 yards on 21 carries. Nick Chubb, usually a force, was stifled with just 21 yards on nine carries. And Jerome Ford? He had one solid run for 21 yards, but outside of that, he was shut down as well.
With the running game neutralized, the burden of the offense fell squarely on Winston’s shoulders. When you’re throwing the ball that many times, against a defense that’s among the best in the league, mistakes are inevitable. Winston was trying to push the ball downfield, looking for big plays to keep the Browns in the game. And yes, that led to two costly interceptions. But it’s important to realize that it wasn’t just Winston who faltered. The team as a whole struggled, and there were a lot of factors contributing to the loss.
The Bright Side: A Franchise-Record 497 Yards and Four Touchdowns
Now, let’s talk about the good stuff. Despite the interception blunders, Winston had one heck of a game. He threw for four touchdowns and set a franchise record with 497 passing yards. That’s right—497 yards. That’s a huge accomplishment, especially when you’re facing off against a defense as tough as Denver’s. With Winston under center, the Browns are starting to see some positive signs. Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore are emerging as real weapons in the passing game.
Jeudy, in particular, had an eye-popping performance with nine catches for 235 yards. That’s a monster game for a receiver, and it shows that, with the right quarterback, he can be a legitimate playmaker. Let’s put this into perspective: Watson, in his seven starts this season, never threw for more than 200 yards in any game. Meanwhile, Jeudy surpassed that mark as a receiver in just one game. That’s a testament to Winston’s ability to stretch the field and give his receivers a chance to make plays.
Moore also had a solid outing with eight catches for 111 yards. He’s been a key target for Winston, and the two are starting to build chemistry. This is a stark contrast to the struggles the Browns had earlier in the season under Watson, where it felt like the offense was stuck in neutral.
Is Winston the Answer? Not for the Long Term, But He’s Helping Now
Let’s be clear: Jameis Winston is not going to be the Browns’ quarterback of the future. That ship has sailed. But in the short term, he’s been a breath of fresh air. The Browns are learning a lot about their team with Watson sidelined. One of the biggest takeaways? It’s not Kevin Stefanski’s offense that’s the issue—it’s Watson. The offense is looking more dynamic with Winston running the show, and the receivers are finally getting the ball in their hands.
The Browns have been competitive since making the switch at quarterback. Despite their 3-9 record, they’re playing hard, and the games have been far more entertaining than they were with Watson under center. Winston has definitely played a role in that, keeping the team in games with his ability to throw for big yardage and connect with his receivers downfield.
The Defense and Running Game Still a Concern
However, Winston isn’t the only one who’s been up and down. The defense has been inconsistent, and the running game has been practically non-existent. In a game where the Browns were forced to pass almost every time, the defense couldn’t make enough plays to stop the Broncos from scoring. Denver put up 27 points, not counting the two pick-6s, and that’s a situation where the Browns needed more from their defense to stay in the game.
The lack of a running game is another major issue. Without Chubb and Ford being able to establish any consistency on the ground, the offense is forced to rely on Winston’s arm to keep them in the game. It’s hard to win consistently in the NFL when your running game is a non-factor, and that’s something the Browns will need to address going forward.
The Bottom Line: Winston’s Role in Cleveland’s Future
Despite the loss and the frustrating interceptions, there’s a lot to like about what Jameis Winston brings to the table. The Browns are finding out that their offense can be more explosive than they thought, especially with Winston leading the charge. The receivers are starting to show their potential, and Winston’s ability to air it out gives them a chance to make big plays.
Winston may not be the long-term solution for the Browns, but he’s been a valuable piece in the short term. He’s kept the team interesting and competitive, and for now, that’s what the Browns need. If they can add a rookie quarterback to the mix next season and perhaps bolster their defense and running game, the future could look brighter. For now, the Browns can thank Winston for bringing some excitement back to the offense.
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