CLEVELAND (AP) Grant Delpit said before Cleveland’s game against Miami that he forgot what it was like to be part of a victory.
The Cleveland Browns safety and his teammates found that feeling of victory again Sunday.
With a complete effort in all three phases, the Browns earned a 31-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins to end a three-game losing streak.
“I remember it now. It feels good,” Delpit said in the locker room after the game. “I think it was a huge win, honestly. Just to get one and now to multiply them, we can’t keep playing pinball throughout the season, going up and down.”
Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns as the Browns (2-5) broke the 17-point mark for the first time in 12 games. The defense held an opponent to a touchdown for the first time in nearly two years and special teams forced a key turnover in the second quarter.
“We always talk about complementary football, but seeing us all together is important and good to see,” said quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who completed 13 of 18 for 116 yards to earn his first NFL victory in his first start in front of Cleveland fans.
In a game where passing was paramount due to heavy rain and winds during the first half, Judkins became the first Browns running back with three rushing scores in a game since Nick Chubb in 2022.
Two of the touchdowns came directly from the Wildcat formation. Coach Kevin Stefanski said he put that into the game plan late in the week after seeing the weather forecast.
On second-and-goal from the Dolphins 3 midway through the second quarter, the rookie running back bounced the direct snap before bringing it back and running up the middle to extend Cleveland’s lead to 17-3.
“Any tough situation puts you in the best position to prepare for it. During the wet ball week of practice, our coaches put us in a position to succeed,” said Judkins, who finished with 84 rushing yards on 25 carries, including a 46-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to put Cleveland ahead.
Judkins extended Cleveland’s lead to 31-6 early in the fourth quarter when he took another direct snap and raced 2 yards for the score.
The Browns picked off Tua Tagovailoa three times and scored 21 points off Miami’s four turnovers.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell, acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 9, returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second half.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins recovered a fumble on special teams in the second quarter and an interception in the fourth. His two takeaways allowed Judkins’ touchdowns to get away from the Wildcat.
Miami (1-6) beat Cleveland 219-206, but managed only two baskets from Riley Patterson. Tagovailoa threw three interceptions for the second straight week and had a career-low passer rating of 24.1 while completing 12 of 23 for 100 yards. He also fumbled three times, but didn’t lose it.
Quinn Ewers replaced Tagovailoa midway through the fourth quarter after the sixth-year quarterback played his sixth career three-pick game.
The Dolphins were 1 of 13 on third down and were penalized 11 times for 103 yards.
“We did everything we could to lose the game,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “We saw a lot of frustration from the season seep into our play. I felt like the emotional overreactions in the first half were detrimental to us. Four drives were backed up by penalties defensively.”
The only bright spot for Miami was running back De’Von Achane, who had 13 carries for 82 yards on the ground.
The Dolphins are 29-29 with McDaniel in his fourth season, but questions about his future continue to intensify.
McDaniel, dejected and disjointed, pushed back against those who questioned his job security in Miami.
“If I think I have a job, I have to do my job,” he said. “I think it’s offensive to all coaches, players and the organization if I spend this valuable time thinking about myself.”
Dolphins: TE Darren Waller suffered a pectoral injury in the first half and did not return. … DE Elijah Campbell (quadriceps) and CB Storm Duck (ankle) were inactive.
Browns: DE Adin Huntington suffered a concussion in the first half and did not return. … TE David Njoku (knee) and OT Jack Conklin (concussion) were inactive.
Dolphins: At Atlanta next Sunday.
Browns: At New England next Sunday.
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