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Rookie who stood out: K Cade York

How about a kicker who gave Cleveland its first Week 1 win since 2004 with a game-winning, 58-yard field goal in the final eight seconds? In his NFL debut, York booted one of the biggest kicks in Browns history, saving Cleveland from a disastrous defeat to former quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers. The Browns expended a fourth-round pick to select York out of LSU, hoping that he would be a special-teams difference-maker. Already, York has proved to be just that.

The Browns have landed themselves a major weapon in Cade York, the fourth-round rookie kicker out of LSU who was absolutely nails in Cleveland's 26-24 win over Baker Mayfield and the Panthers in Charlotte. York's 58-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining would have been good from 10 yards further (at least!), the final kick in a perfect 4 for 4 day. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt carried the offense, something they'll be tasked with doing for the entirety of Jacoby Brissett's limited time as the starting quarterback. The best that can be said about Brissett? He avoided the killer turnover. But it's clear opponents will be able to stack the box against Cleveland with impunity until Deshaun Watson returns from his suspension.

Give Jacoby Brissett credit for his game-winning drive against Carolina, even after an uneven showing for most of the game. The defense had a letdown in the second half.

Rookie Cade York's clutch kick gave Cleveland its first Week 1 W since 2004, ending the longest run of opening day futility in league history.

This is what it's going to have to look like for the Browns over the first 11 games. Jacoby Brissett's 4.3 yards per attempt were the lowest of any quarterback in the league in Week 1, but Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combined for 187 yards rushing, the Browns held the ball longer than any team in the league (38:26) and the game came down to a 58-yard field goal. Cade York, the rookie who was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round, delivered. With their next three games against the Jets, Steelers and Falcons, the Browns are in position to be the most hated 4-0 team since the 2019 Patriots.

Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett was as advertised—conservative (he finished Week 1 with the lowest yards per attempt average of any starter) and turnover prone. The only reason his stat line wasn't a total disaster was that he was bailed out of two would-be interceptions, first by one of the dumbest pass interference penalties I've ever seen committed and then on a drop by Carolina safety Myles Hartsfield. A stalwart defense led by Myles Garrett (two sacks and three tackles for loss), heavy doses of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (who combined for 187 rushing yards), and a clutch rookie kicker (Cade York, FTW) saved Cleveland from disaster. That will be the key to victory for the Browns until quarterback play improves.

The Browns are going to have to squeeze out as many wins as possible with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, and that's why it's important they have a good rookie kicker who can hit all four field-goal attempts including a clutch 58-yarder. It might not be pretty but the Browns can win that way with a strong running game and a solid defense.

The Browns of past regimes wouldn't have recovered from that blown lead.