Down 25 points early to the Tennessee Titans, the Browns looked like they were headed to another blowout loss. A porous defense had conceded three touchdown passes before halftime.
Quickly, though, things turned around, largely due to playmakers who poured in some big yards and crucial touchdowns. With his team trailing 28-3, quarterback Brian Hoyer led a quick drive downfield and threw a touchdown with 16 seconds left in the first half, cutting the deficit to 18.
After halftime, Cleveland picked up right where it left off. A field goal was the only scoring action in the third quarter, but the Browns stymied the Titans and left the door open for a comeback.
A safety early in the fourth quarter cut the lead to 13. Then Hoyer and receiver Travis Benjamin went to work.
Two touchdowns by the duo lifted the Browns to a one-point lead with just 1:15 left in the game, and a second-half shutout of Tennessee's offense earned Cleveland a 29-28 win -- the third-largest comeback in regular season history.
Cleveland's offense did turn it on late, but all big comebacks require some help from the other team. Tennessee opened the door when starter Jake Locker went down with an injury.
Late in the game, a decision to go for it on fourth-down -- and effectively end the game -- failed for the Titans, giving the Browns the ball and great field position.
Hoyer and Benjamin's fantasy owners, meanwhile, had to be thrilled at the big comeback, which saw those players pile on big points late in the game. The need to rally late created plenty of opportunities for the pair to hook up, and Tennessee was unable to stop them.
Although the Browns ultimately let Hoyer sign with the Texans in the offseason, the quarterback proved his mettle as an NFL starter.
