It will go down in Cleveland Browns folklore as one of the classics when fans recall great games of the past. Do you remember that “snow globe” game when Jameis Winston plowed through the snow and helped beat their rival Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2024?
For the brave souls attending, it resembled a movie plot. Fans were buried in snow cover from a blinding lake effect storm as they watched their beloved Browns take down the Steelers 24-19. The Browns are only 3-8 on a disappointing season. But on this night all seemed right in the world as the Cleveland players celebrated by making snow angels in the snow after the win.
Jameis Winston-QB1
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 21: Jameis Winston #5 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter in the game at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Steelers 24-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
One of those was new Browns starting quarterback Jameis Winston, who has become a fan favorite because of the positivity and energy he has brought back to the team. It was a squad that was struggling mightily under former quarterback Deshaun Watson. When Watson was injured several weeks ago the team had a dismal 1-6 record.
At this point, let’s take a moment to look back at how we got here.
Browns fans watched a quarterback named Joe Flacco come in last year and throw “lights out” to help propel the team to the playoffs. Many hoped he’d return for this season, at least as a backup to their franchise quarterback Watson. That didn’t happen and Flacco signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
Cleveland instead signed former No. 1 pick of the 2015 NFL Draft Winston to a backup quarterback role. He accepted that role in stride until Watson was injured in a mid-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Since then Winston has taken over the duties at QB and done well in four games.
Winston vs Watson
Winston has a 2-2 record in that stretch of games, throwing for 1,183 yards (296 yards per game average) with a nice 63.6 completion percentage. He has also thrown six touchdowns to four interceptions. He has been sacked 12 times over these last four games (6 sacks occurred against the Los Angeles Chargers)
For comparison’s sake, the former Browns starter Watson, in seven games had a 1-6 record, throwing for 1,148 yards with a 63.4 completion percentage. He had five touchdowns to three interceptions. He suffered 33 sacks. That included games of getting sacked 5, 6, 7, and 8 times respectively.
The Browns have had trouble scoring points on offense this season only climbing over 20 points twice in games. But both times were on Winston’s watch. Winston is a gunslinger and will make mistakes throwing the ball downfield at times. But he doesn’t get sacked like Watson. Winston does a far better job of seeing the field and making accurate and quicker decisions with the ball.
Browns fans have been at their wit’s end watching Watson hold onto the ball far too long because of his inability to make good decisions. It’s been very refreshing for these fans to see a quarterback who knows what he’s doing.
Winston=Leader
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 21: Jameis Winston #5 of the Cleveland Browns scores a 2 yard touchdown against Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter in the game at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Beyond those skill sets, Winston is a born leader. You can tell that the Browns players love the guy. The offensive players from the receivers to the linemen just look like they are working harder when Winston is behind center.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what the Browns need to do moving forward. The elephant in the room however is that ginormous, wasted contract that the Browns organization paid for a bad quarterback.
At this point, how the organization tackles that contract moving forward is up to a lot of speculation. The Browns could look to draft a quarterback in the upcoming draft this spring. Winston could be that bridge quarterback to the new draftee as this team looks to a brighter future. (Barring an injury of course.)
I know Cleveland fans don’t run a team, but they also know what good football and teamwork look like. Most fans agree that Winston is a much better quarterback than Watson. They know he makes mistakes. But they are far more willing to accept those mistakes when they know they have a quarterback that can win games. I’m hopeful that the Browns organization analyzes what is in front of them and can agree that Winston is their best option in the short run.
If nothing else, Winston gave Browns fans a renewed hope for the future. And a classic and snowy memory that will last a lifetime.
The featured photo is from Jason Miller and Getty Images.
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