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sports Diamars 13 OctOber 2020

October surprise: Browns are 4-1, looking like contenders

(AP) — Rising high above Browns held on to beat the
downtown Cleveland on Indianapolis Colts 32-23
an unusually warm au- on Sunday for their fourth
tumn night, the Termi- straight win under unflap-
nal Tower was bathed in pable first-year coach Kevin
bright orange lights on Stefanski, who in five games
Sunday, a glowing trib- has already surpassed former
ute to a team that has Cleveland coach Hue Jack-
this football-obsessed city son's win total over three sea-
fired up. sons.

For the first time in 26 years, It's still early, and a visit to
the beloved Browns are 4-1. undefeated Pittsburgh is up
Talk about an October sur- next. But the Browns, who
prise. haven't been in the postsea-
Showing resiliency, depth son since 2002 and didn't win
and maybe their legitimacy a single game three years ago,
as a playoff contender, the are growing more confident

Canadians sign Tyler

Toffoli to 4-year deal

each week, they believe. turn around, it is amazing,” giving Cleveland a safety and
(AP) — The Montreal Canadians signed forward Tyler Higgins said. “Night and a 29-20 lead.
Toffoli to a four-year deal on Monday. This week, Garrett, who has
The deal carries an average annual value of $4.25 million. “We're a different unit this day.”
year," offensive lineman six sacks, plays in Pittsburgh
Chris Hubbard said Monday. What's working for the first time since his
Toffoli played 10 regular-season games for the Vancouver “We're a very hungry team.” Stefanski is pushing all the helmet-swinging attack on
Canucks this season after being acquired in a February Steelers quarterback Mason
trade from the Los Angeles Kings. Cleveland passed what was right buttons. His play-call-
hyped as a test to prove its ve- ing and clock management Rudolph last year.
racity in the matchup against has been exemplary the past
The 28-year-old from Toronto had six goals and four as- the Colts, who came in with two weeks, and he and co- Stock down
sists with the Canucks after putting up 18 goals and 16
assists through 58 games with Los Angeles. He added two the NFL's top-ranked de- ordinator Alex Van Pelt have Not his fault, but Williams'
devised sound game plans injury raises questions about
fense.
goals and two assists in seven games of Vancouver’s play-
off run. The Browns built a 27-10 that accentuate Mayfield's his durability. The former
lead and then survived a strengths outside the pocket. LSU standout was hurt in
comeback — and quarter- Bigger still, Stefanski has con- training camp and returned
Toffoli has 139 goals and 151 assists in eight seasons in back Baker Mayfield shook nected with his players and to practice several weeks ago.
the NHL.
He was selected in the second round (47th overall) by the off some sore ribs — to get earned their trust. They've He was supposed to pair with
bought into his weekly “go Denzel Ward and take care of
past Indianapolis with sev-
Kings in the 2010 draft.
eral unsung players making 1-0” motto. Cleveland's corners for years.
key contributions down the “He knows the way,” Higgins
stretch. said. “He is showing us the Injured
way.” Mayfield's ribs are “sore” but
Safety Ronnie Harrison re- Stefanski is optimistic his
turned an interception 47 What needs help quarterback will be ready for
yards for a touchdown in The secondary took another the Steelers. “I know he is
his first start. Hubbard, who hit with Harrison going into tough and I know he is going
made 29 starts at right tackle concussion protocol and cor- to fight through this,” Ste-
the past two seasons, went in nerback Greedy Williams fanski said. "But we will be
at guard for the first time in being placed on injured re- smart.” ... Stefanski described
a regular-season game after serve with a nerve issue in Teller's injury as “week to
Wyatt Teller went out with his shoulder. The Browns are week,” hinting that he will
a strained calf. Hubbard de- vulnerable to long passes and probably miss this week.
livered a key block to spring will certainly be challenged Hubbard will start if Teller's
running back D'Ernest John- deep by Steelers QB Ben Ro- out. ... Stefanski hopes to
son, playing only because Pro ethlisberger. have defensive tackle Larry
Bowler Nick Chubb is hurt, Cleveland's kickoff coverage Ogunjobi (abdomen) and Jo-
on a game-icing 28-yard run remains a major problem. seph back after they both sat
in the final minutes. The Colts busted off a 101- out Sunday.
There were others: backup yard TD return with Isaiah
safety Sheldrick Redwine Rodgers averaging 42.4 yards Key number
came in when Harrison went on five returns. 2 — Mayfield's completions
out with a concussion and to the Browns — and the
made a late pick, and wide re- Stock up Colts — in the second half.
ceiver Rashard Higgins, who Myles Garrett belongs in the He finished with a season-
had been inactive twice this early Defensive Player of the high 247 yards passing, with
season and seemingly buried Year conversation. He made 228 coming in the first half.
on the depth chart, caught a a game-swinging play for the What's next
TD pass. fourth week in a row Sunday. Heinz Field has been a house
It was a total team effort by The dominating defensive of horrors for the Browns.
a team on the rise a different end's pressure caused Colts They've lost 16 straight in
team. quarterback Philip Rivers to Pittsburgh, with their most
“I have been here for 0-16, panic and commit intention- recent win coming on Oct. 5,
and just to see everything al grounding in the end zone, 2003.