Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer overcame three interceptions and All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon made one of the biggest plays of the game in his first game back from suspension in the Browns’ thrilling 26-24 come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
The Browns won it on a 37-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff as time expired to cap a 7-play 61-yard drive that began at the 20 with 44 seconds left and all three timeouts remaining.
“It’s great to win, but I’m really disappointed in myself,” said Hoyer. “I feel like I let the team down even though we won. That’s not how I play. I’m really disappointed. Obviously it’s a great to get a win and be 7-4, but I have to do a better job.”
The Browns improved to 7-4 to remain a half-game behind the first place Bengals in the AFC North. The Browns are tied for second with the Steelers, who are off this week. The Ravens, who play Monday night in New Orleans, are 6-4.
“I’ve got to play a lot better,” said Hoyer. “Especially going forward, if we really want to do something, I can’t play like that and I can’t even believe that we still won.”
Reminiscent of the Minnesota game last year, Hoyer threw three interceptions — including two in the final five minutes — and then came from behind to win. And just like in Minnesota, he relied heavily on Gordon, who caught eight passes for 120 yards, including a 24-yarder on the gamewinning field goal drive as time expired.
“He made a great contribution, especially that big one on the last drive,” said Hoyer, who completed 23-of-40 attempts for 322 yards with no TDs and three picks for a 52.3 rating.
Hoyer was hard on himself after he threw his second fourth-quarter interception with 2:42 remaining. Both of his last-quarter picks — including one in the back of the end zone — were on passes intended for Gordon. The Falcons, who slipped to 4-7, cashed in with a 53-yard field goal to go ahead 24-23 with 44 seconds left.
“I was down. I really was,” he said. “That last one, I felt like I lost the game for us.”
But teammates such as Gordon and Joe Thomas helped him keep his head in it for the final drive.
“(It was) go out and play the best I can, I’ve already played the worst game of my career, so go out and play fearless and give it all I have,” he said.
He completed 4-of-6 attempts for 61 yards to set up the wining kick. Two went to Miles Austin and one to Gary Barnidge.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
