Jameis Winston breathes life into the Browns offense and ends the slump

CLEVELAND — Four days before Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston was set to make his first NFL start in more than two years, he expressed confidence.

“I look at this as an opportunity to go out there and do my best,” Winston said Wednesday. “And if I do my best, I’ll be a great NFL starter.”

Winston backed up that statement on Sunday by throwing the game-winning touchdown in the Browns' 29-24 upset win over the Baltimore Ravens, ending a five-game losing streak. It was Cleveland's first game since losing starting quarterback Deshaun Watson to a season-ending Achilles tendon tear.

Winston did his part to breathe life into a Cleveland offense that was among the NFL's worst through seven games.

He completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards – a franchise record for a quarterback in his debut with the Browns – and three touchdowns, including the 38-yard go-ahead score to wide receiver Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left.

“I thought he played well,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I found the protection outstanding throughout the day. The boys really took up the challenge and I thought he got through his tests and the boys opened up. He made good decisions. He wasn't perfect. He won't play perfectly. I'm not going to be a perfect coach, but I thought he played well.

With Stefanski turning the game over to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, the Browns' offense with Watson at center had a rhythm and flow that it had lacked all season. Cleveland reached 20 points for the first time all season and set season highs for passing yards, total yards and third-down conversion rate.

A temporary crime that was unrelated suddenly became explosive. According to ESPN Research, Winston recorded eight completions and two touchdowns on passes that traveled at least 15 yards downfield, including the game-winning throw to Tillman. Watson only had nine such completions and one touchdown in seven games.

“He brought great energy,” Tillman said. “Jameis kept telling us he was going to keep throwing. He will always come back to us no matter what. He played great today.”

Winston, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, made his first start since Sept. 25, 2022, when he was a member of the New Orleans Saints. And it wasn't without mistakes and fears. Late in the first half, he lost a fumble on a sack that led to a Ravens touchdown and put the Browns down 10-6 at halftime. He twice avoided interceptions on Ravens drops, including a game-winning interception when he brought down receiver Elijah Moore but safety Kyle Hamilton couldn't hold on to the ball.

However, Winston was unfazed and found Tillman downfield on the very next play as the Ravens' attack raced toward him.

“Ken always talks about how we’re not going to be conservative,” Winston said. “We will be aggressive and not conservative. And that's the way he preaches as offensive coordinator. And that’s what we showed on this field today, that’s what we set an example for.”

Winston, known for being a lively figure in the Browns' locker room, addressed his teammates in an impassioned pregame speech, emphasizing the need to have “unwavering faith.”

And in his first start as a Brown, Winston was unflappable, right down to his game-winning throw.

“I'm confident that I'm a great NFL quarterback if I make great decisions play after play,” he said after the game. “I’m sure of it.”