Even a stoppable force can beat a moveable object.
The Cleveland Browns took advantage of a crumbling Miami Dolphins team to win their second game of the season.
Scoring over 17 points for the first time this season, the Browns put up 31 points to win the game 31-6.
This victory takes the team’s record to 2-5 and drops the Dolphins to 1-6.
With the New England Patriots up next before the bye week, the Browns will be looking to use this win as a springboard to more victories.
Here are the three biggest things that stood out in what was the team’s best overall performance of the season.
Complimentary football
Playing complimentary football goes a long way towards winning in the NFL. It is hard enough playing against another team, let alone your own.
On Sunday the Browns played the most complimentary football they have played in a long time. And it is no surprise it resulted in a blowout win.
The offense was able to finally help out the defense by scoring three touchdowns and taking advantage of the opportunities they were given.
The offensive performance would not be mistaken with the Greatest Show on Turf. But they were able be productive where they needed to be to contribute towards winning this game.
The Browns defense showed up once again; proving why they are one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Recording four sacks and three interceptions on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the defensive unit did everything they could to put the team in position to win this game – included scoring seven points themselves with corner Tyson Campbell returning one of the interceptions for a Pick Six.
For the first time this year, the Browns special teams joined the party. The unit has faced a lot of criticism through the first six games of the season due to poor production.
However, they contributed towards this win by forcing a turnover on a Dolphins kick return, as well as kicker Andre Szmyt making all five of his kicks in adverse weather conditions.
When all three phases contribute with touchdowns and turnovers, it is hard to lose games in the NFL. The Browns will be hoping to get more complimentary forward from the team going forward.
Clean football
As well as playing complimentary football, playing clean football also goes a long way towards winning games.
The Browns had eight turnovers across the first four games of the 2025 season. Since benching quarterback Joe Flacco for rookie Dillon Gabriel, they have zero turnovers in the last three games.
It does not matter how good your defense is when the offense is turning the ball over every game.
By playing clean football, not only does the Browns offense increase their own chances of success, but the defense’s as well.
It is not a coincidence that the Browns defense has six turnovers in the last three games after only having two in the first four games of the season. The offense is turning the ball over less which allows the Browns defense to play more freely and create more chances for turnovers themselves.
Playing clean football on offense is a recipe for success in the NFL, and the Browns showed that against the Dolphins.
Quinshon Judkins
While complimentary and clean football is great, you still have to score points in order to win games. Quinshon Judkins was a point scoring machine against the Dolphins – becoming just the third Browns running back in franchise history to score three rushing touchdowns.
Going into a game with bad weather against the worst run defense in the NFL, the Browns had to find a way to get Judkins the ball. That is exactly what they did.
Judkins finished the game with 25 carries for 84 yards and three touchdowns. He even took three direct snaps in the wildcat – scoring two touchdowns – which showed the Browns’ urgency to get him the ball.
The running back now leads all rookies in rushing yards (467), rushing touchdowns (5) and rushing first downs (29) – despite missing the first day of the season.
The Browns put the offensive workload on Judkins back and he delivered.
That winning feeling
Despite the team still sitting at 2-5 and having a long way to go for any playoff aspirations this year, this was an important win for the Browns.
After the most difficult six game start to the season of any team in the NFL, the Browns enter an easier stretch of games off the back of a big win against Miami.
If the Browns are to mount any challenge for a playoff spot in 2025, it starts with a winning feeling returning to Berea.
That winning feeling returned this week.
