10 thoughts on the Browns' 41-24 win against the Dolphins

browns versus dolphins — (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns extended their winning streak to three games in a 41-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Here are 10 thoughts after the Browns’ win Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

1. It was the tale of two halves.

The Browns dominated in the first half with a 28-3 lead headed into the break.

The last time the Browns held a 21-point lead in the first half at home came in Week 2 of the 2015 season against the Tennessee Titans. Johnny Manziel was playing quarterback.

The Dolphins scored 17 consecutive points to cut the deficit to 11 when it was 28-17.

Cleveland mustered 13 points in the second half, but it could have been more.

Browns kicker Austin Seibert made two out of his three field-goal attempts in the second half.

Seibert missed a 46-yard field goal in the third quarter. He made a 26-yarder and a 40-yarder.

2. The Browns offense dominated.

For the fourth time since the 1970 merger, the Cleveland Browns have recorded multiple games with 40 points in a season, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Browns also accomplished this feat in 1978, 1989 and 2007.

Cleveland finished with 467 total yards of offense compared to the Dolphins’ 284.

The Browns also dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 36:06.

For just the 4th time since the 1970 merger, the Cleveland Browns have recorded multiple games with 40 points in a season (also done in 2007, 1989 & 1978). pic.twitter.com/0odL5ZkEs9

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 24, 2019

3. The Browns scored another opening-drive touchdown.

Cleveland has scored an opening-drive touchdown in three consecutive games. It’s the team’s longest active streak in the last 15 years.

Baker Mayfield connected with wide receiver Jarvis Landry on a seven-yard touchdown pass.

4. Landry got two revenge touchdowns.

Sunday marked Landry’s first game against the Dolphins, his former team.

Landry has now had four consecutive games with a touchdown reception. He finished with 10 receptions on 13 targets, 148 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

It was Landry’s fifth multi-touchdown game of his career.

5. Odell Beckham Jr. ended his streak of eight straight games without a touchdown.

The scoreless streak marked the longest of Beckham’s six-year career.

Mayfield connected with Beckham for a 35-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. The reception marked Beckham’s 18th career 30-yard-plus touchdown reception, which is tied with Tyreek Hill for the most in the NFL since 2014.

Beckham finished with six receptions on eight targets for 84 receiving yards.

The Dolphins snapped Mayfield’s streak of 157 passes without throwing an interception. Mayfield very nearly threw two picks, but a play in the fourth quarter got called back because of an unnecessary roughness penalty on Miami. The drive resulted in a Nick Chubb rushing touchdown.

FINAL: @bakermayfield throws 3 touchdowns to lead the @Browns to their third straight win! #MIAvsCLE pic.twitter.com/RY0tIfpVym

— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2019

6. Kareem Hunt scored his first touchdown as a Cleveland Brown.

Hunt scored on a six-yard rush late in the second quarter to put the Browns up 28-0.

It marked Hunt’s first score since Nov. 19, 2018, when he was still playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Browns are 3-0 since Hunt came back from his suspension.

Hunt has complimented Chubb in the backfield. Chubb finished with 106 rushing yards on 21 attempts and a touchdown. Hunt and Chubb combined for 143 out of Cleveland’s 147 rushing yards.

7. The Dolphins continue to struggle.

Miami saw its two-game winning streak snapped on Sunday. The Dolphins have played 69 players this season, which is most in the NFL.

Headed into Sunday’s game, the Dolphins averaged 44 yards allowed from penalties. The Dolphins had eight penalties for 94 yards on Sunday.

Cleveland had seven penalties for 70 yards. It marked the third game this season the Browns allowed fewer penalty yards than their opponent.

8. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw his 200th career touchdown pass.

“FitzMagic” aka the Bearded Wonder celebrated his 37th birthday on Sunday with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Allen Hurns with 39 seconds left in the game.

Fitzpatrick became the 44th player in NFL history to throw 200 touchdown passes.

9. Cleveland remains in the playoff hunt.

If the Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers next weekend, Cleveland has a 39 percent chance to reach the playoffs, according to the Football Power Index.

10. Next up: A rematch with the Steelers.

Browns fans outside of FirstEnergy Stadium were seen trying to hit a Mason Rudolph piñata before Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.

The joke might be on Rudolph though. Rudolph got benched Sunday in favor of Devlin “Duck” Hodges during the Steelers’ 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Next Sunday marks the first time the Steelers and Browns have played since the brawl between Myles Garrett and Rudolph on Nov. 14.