The rain came down sideways at Cleveland Browns Stadium, but it was the Dolphins who looked all wet. Behind a ferocious defense and a breakout performance from rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, the Browns crushed Miami 31-6 in a soggy Sunday statement the team and coach badly needed — especially after the Joe Flacco trade and his thunderous three-touchdown, 342-yard primetime performance for the Bengals against the hated Steelers on Thursday night.
The Browns proved they’re not washed up just yet. Offensively led by rookie Judkins, Cleveland carved up Miami’s defense with three rushing touchdowns, bulldozing through arm tackles like puddles. His combination of power, patience, and burst gave the Browns the offensive identity they’ve been searching for all season. “Feed Q the rock” has quickly become the new chant along the Dawg Pound — and for good reason. When Judkins rolls, Cleveland rolls.
But this one belonged to the defense. Cleveland recorded three interceptions and four sacks, all while holding one of the league’s flashiest offenses to just six points. It was the kind of blue-collar beatdown that warms Kevin Stefanski’s heart — and cools his seat, at least for a week.
Browns Dominate Dolphins 31–6 in the Rain: Judkins, Defense Drown Miami’s Mojo
The Battle of the Hawai’ian Southpaws
The game carried a bit of history — the first-ever meeting between two Hawai’ian-born left-handed quarterbacks. The matchup between Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa and Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel was supposed to be a tropical shootout. Instead, it felt more like a cold front blowing through Oahu.
Neither southpaw found the end zone, but Gabriel played mistake-free football, finishing 13 of 18 for 116 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions — enough to earn his first NFL victory in brutal conditions. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, was harassed most of the miserable afternoon, completing just 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards with three interceptions and constant pressure in his face.
Defense Unleashed
After weeks of discussion about dialing up the blitz, Browns Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz unleashed the heat — and it worked. Miles Garrett notched his fifth sack of the season, rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger blew up a key third-down play for a tackle for loss, and safety Grant Delpit looked like he was everywhere at once.
Delpit’s night was spectacular: he forced a special-teams fumble, sacked Tagovailoa on a blitz, and delivered several highlight-reel hits. That aggressiveness paid off — the Browns forced a near-safety, flipped field position, and dominated the line of scrimmage.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell intercepted a tipped pass from safety Rayshawn Jenkins and took it to the house for a touchdown. Later, Jenkins got a pick of his own, as did Ronnie Hickman, sealing a defensive clinic for Cleveland.
The Other Sideline: McDaniel’s Shades, Not His Team
While the Browns played with focus and fire, Miami looked dazed — and not just because of the rain. The Dolphins committed penalty after penalty, especially on special teams, sabotaging any rhythm.
Coach Mike McDaniel, known for his futuristic offense and equally futuristic fashion sense, watched in frustration behind his signature DITA Midnight Special sunglasses — titanium frames, two-tone plating, handcrafted perfection. It may have been dark and cloudy in Cleveland, but hey, he looked good. The team, not so much.
Miami’s offense was so cold that McDaniel practically needed those shades to block out the reality. Between missed reads, tipped passes, and three Tua interceptions, it was a long, gray afternoon on the shores of Lake Erie.
A Complete Win
Cleveland’s special teams set the tone, the defense finished the job, and Judkins did the rest. Even the kicker was perfect, and for once, the Browns avoided the kind of game-killing penalties that have haunted them in years past.
By the time the two-minute warning arrived, the game was all but over. Gabriel notched his first win in the “Hawai’ian Lefty Bowl,” Judkins took home the game ball, and Stefanski finally exhaled.
For one damp, glorious Sunday in Cleveland, the Browns looked like a team that knew exactly who they were: tough, disciplined, and dangerous.
And for Miami? Let’s just say their coach’s sunglasses were the only thing shining.
Main Image: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
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