The Cleveland Browns offense threw a massive party, eclipsing their combined 17 points from the first two preseason games in a single quarter of their final preseason showdown against the Patriots. Talk about a statement! Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who everyone had pegged as being on the roster fringe heading into cutdown day on Sunday, absolutely exploded, making a dominant case to lock up his spot.
Gabriel Goes Off and the Offense Catches Fire
Can you believe this dude? Gabriel was rumored to be on the bubble, and then he came out firing on all cylinders in the first half. He went 12 for 15, slinging for 186 passing yards and a ridiculous three touchdowns. That’s how you shut down the whispers and force the coaches to take notice, right? His performance was the kind of dominant showing that screams “I belong here!” And let’s not forget rookie Taylen Green, who also flashed some serious athleticism, making his own strong case for a roster spot or at least the practice squad. The Patriots were sloppy with penalties, sure, but Cleveland’s offense was moving the ball like crazy, keeping them at bay for most of the game. It was a memorable night for the Browns, as their offense finally, FINALLY, put on a show.
Skill Guys and the O-Line Were Straight Up Dominant
This offensive explosion wasn’t about the quarterbacks alone, though. Davon Booth, our guy, scored his first NFL touchdown, which is awesome to see! The running backs as a unit were looking great, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and keeping those drives alive. They made the quarterbacks’ lives so much easier, even if you wanted a few more explosive runs. Then there’s Luke Floriea at wide receiver. He had a career game, snagging two touchdowns, capping off a strong preseason. You gotta think he’s locked up a roster spot too. Ben Patterson and Gage Larvadian also brought some serious spark, giving our QBs strong targets all night. And the offensive line? Man, these guys earned an A+ grade. They’ve really found their groove the last two weeks, treating the Patriots’ defensive line like they were practice sleds. Rookie guard Austin Barber, watch him getting out in front on the screen and finishing, he was relentless! The run game was efficient, and the quarterbacks had all the time in the world back there.
Defense Holds Its Own, Mostly
On the other side of the ball, the defense had some mixed reviews. The defensive line earned a B-, and while the pass rush was there with three sacks and five pressures, the run defense definitely needs some work. It was mostly the second team out there, so they should be okay in a rotation, but that run defense is a piece to watch. Our linebackers, though, were flying around all night, securing two interceptions! That’s huge for a unit that’s going to need serious depth in 2026. Seeing rookies like Justin Jefferson stepping up is a seriously good sign. The secondary, getting a C grade, forced some turnovers too, but clearly has areas to clean up.
This was the final preseason game, folks, and with cutdown day looming on Sunday, a lot of players put their best foot forward. The coaching staff has some tough decisions to make, but performances like these make the competition even better for the regular season ahead. It’s exciting to see what kind of team emerges from this final push!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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