The Cleveland Browns snapped an eight-game skid with a dramatic, last-second 55-yard walk-off field goal by rookie kicker Andre Szmyt, rallying from a 10–0 fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers 13–10 in Week 3 — a finish defined by a game-turning interception, a crucial blocked Packers field goal, and special teams delivering the final punch.
The Week 3 showdown at Huntington Bank Field will be remembered more for its final 30 seconds than for the first 59 minutes: down 10–0 late in the fourth, the Browns scored twice in the final 3:45 — a 35-yard field goal and a 1-yard Quinshon Judkins touchdown set up by Grant Delpit’s interception — before Shelby Harris blocked a Packers 43-yard attempt, giving Cleveland 21 seconds to march into range for Szmyt’s 55-yard game winner as time expired. The Browns improved to 1–2, while the Packers fell to 2–1 after surrendering a late lead.
This article provides a full game narrative, tactical and player analysis, a special-teams deep dive, and perspective on what the result means for both clubs — including a clear flagging of claims that remain unverified in public reporting. Cross-checks were made against primary team reporting, league recaps, and independent outlets to ensure accuracy.
Source: Cleveland Browns "Andre Szmyt Nails It!" Call of the Game - Week 3 vs. Packers
Overview
The Week 3 showdown at Huntington Bank Field will be remembered more for its final 30 seconds than for the first 59 minutes: down 10–0 late in the fourth, the Browns scored twice in the final 3:45 — a 35-yard field goal and a 1-yard Quinshon Judkins touchdown set up by Grant Delpit’s interception — before Shelby Harris blocked a Packers 43-yard attempt, giving Cleveland 21 seconds to march into range for Szmyt’s 55-yard game winner as time expired. The Browns improved to 1–2, while the Packers fell to 2–1 after surrendering a late lead. This article provides a full game narrative, tactical and player analysis, a special-teams deep dive, and perspective on what the result means for both clubs — including a clear flagging of claims that remain unverified in public reporting. Cross-checks were made against primary team reporting, league recaps, and independent outlets to ensure accuracy.
Background
Where this fit in Week 3 and the season
Coming into Week 3, both rosters carried storyline weight: the Browns were searching for traction after a slow start, while the Packers hoped to build early-season momentum. This game quickly turned into a defensive battle, with the Browns held scoreless until the closing minutes and Green Bay managing field position and clock control for most of the contest. When it mattered most, Cleveland’s defense and special teams flipped the script.Key pregame context
- Browns offensive concerns: Cleveland’s offense had struggled for consistency through the first weeks, making the late scoring burst here especially notable for timing rather than volume.
- Packers discipline issues: Green Bay’s penalty count and situational errors (14 penalties for 75 yards) created opportunities late in the game and ultimately contributed to the Browns’ final drive.
Game narrative: minute-by-minute turning points
First three quarters — defense rules
For most of the matchup the game looked like a classic low-scoring, grind-it-out contest dominated by defensive play-calling. The Packers produced the lone touchdown and a field goal to lead 10–0 heading into the fourth. Cleveland’s offense was largely stagnant, finishing with only 221 total yards by the end of the game, and the Browns managed just one drive with more than two first downs before the fourth quarter.Fourth quarter — the comeback
- 3:45 left — 35-yard field goal: Szmyt converted a 35-yard field goal to put the Browns on the board and make it 10–3. That kick proved to be the first practical momentum pulse for Cleveland.
- ~3:01 left — Grant Delpit interception: A third-down interception by safety Grant Delpit was returned deep, setting up a short-yardage opportunity inside the 5-yard line. The takeaway swung field position and short-circuited what had been a Packers possession that could have sealed the game.
- 3:01 left — Quinshon Judkins touchdown: Running back Quinshon Judkins punched in a 1-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10. Judkins finished with a team-high rushing output and became a pivotal piece in the Browns’ late offensive correction.
0 seconds left — Packers go-ahead attempt blocked: Green Bay’s Brandon McManus lined up for a 43-yard attempt that would have given the Packers the lead; Shelby Harris blocked the kick and Greg Newsome II recovered the loose ball at midfield. That single special-teams play swung the possession back to Cleveland with only 21 seconds remaining. - Final 21 seconds — Joe Flacco’s two completions & spike set up a 55-yard attempt. Szmyt drilled the kick with two seconds left on the clock, delivering a walk-off victory.
Player-by-player analysis
Andre Szmyt — from pressure to hero
- The rookie kicker had a redemption arc in this game: after a rough Week 1 when he missed a short try in a close loss, Szmyt kept his composure to make two critical kicks in the final frame, including the dramatic 55-yarder that completed the comeback. Making a 55-yard field goal under game-deciding pressure speaks to both leg strength and mental resilience.
- What this means: Szmyt’s day should increase confidence among coaches and teammates in his range and situational fortitude, but roster managers will still note the Week 1 misses and watch his consistency closely over the next several weeks.
Joe Flacco — veteran management
- Flacco’s stat line was modest (21-of-36, 142 yards), but his late-game execution — two clutch completions to set up the winning kick — highlights the value of a veteran game manager. He avoided turnovers after the Delpit interception and moved the Browns into range in a short window.
- Tactical read: the Browns intentionally simplified the finish, relying on quick timing throws and clock management rather than forcing deep shots — a pragmatic script when seconds are the primary constraint.
Quinshon Judkins — a late breakout
- Judkins finished with 94 rushing yards and the go-ahead touchdown, giving the Browns a workhorse back for the late-game push. His 38-yard run earlier in the fourth provided the explosive element the offense had otherwise lacked.
Packers players of note
- Jordan Love (18-of-25, 183 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT): Love managed the game effectively for most of the day, but the late interception and special-teams miscues cost Green Bay dearly. The turnover on third down ultimately provided the Browns the short field to tie the game.
- Special teams and penalties: the Packers’ 14 penalties for 75 yards materially affected the flow; discipline and execution in special teams and penalty reduction are immediate coaching priorities after this collapse.
Special teams: the deciding phase
Special teams decided this contest. Two plays in that phase stood above all else:- Shelby Harris’ block: The blocked 43-yard attempt preserved the 10–10 tie and flipped possession to the Browns at midfield with under 30 seconds remaining. That play was the immediate precursor to Szmyt’s heroics and underscores how single special-teams plays can determine outcomes.
- Andre Szmyt’s 55-yard walk-off: A demonstration of leg strength and situational timing. Teams prize kickers who can convert from beyond 50 yards with pressure and a noisy stadium environment; Szmyt's make immediately raises his value for high-leverage situations.
- Blocking and penetration tendencies on 40–50 yard field-goal attempts.
- Snap-to-kick timing under pressure and crowd noise simulations.
- Return alignment after blocks and in the final 30 seconds of tight games.
Tactical and coaching takeaways
Browns (Kevin Stefanski & staff)
- The offense’s late flexibility — using the run game and quick completions to move into position — was textbook clock management by a veteran staff. The defensive and special-teams units did more of the heavy lifting for most of the day, but the late offensive execution validated the team's ability to grind out a win without spectacular passing numbers.
- Coaching credit for preparedness on blocked kicks and short-field opportunistic plays will be assessed positively by front office evaluators.
Packers (Matt LaFleur & staff)
- The loss will focus attention on situational decision-making and penalty control. LaFleur himself cited regret about certain play calls in the aftermath; management and coaching staff will likely emphasize fundamentals and late-game management in practice.
- Defensive performance for large portions of the game was strong; the breakdowns were concentrated in timing and a single critical turnover. That should temper panic but still demand corrective coaching steps.
Statistical context and implications
- Final box-score context: Browns 13, Packers 10. Browns total offense: ~221 yards; Packers managed slightly more offense and time-of-possession advantage for most of the contest. The score underlines that low-yardage, high-leverage plays (turnovers, blocks, kicking) can outweigh cumulative yardage in tight games.
- Penalties matter: Green Bay’s 14 flags (75 yards) were far from a marginal detail; such a penalty load statistically increases opponent win probability in the fourth quarter and correlates with late-game collapses. Coaches will cite this as an avoidable detriment.
- Kicker volatility: Szmyt’s week-to-week swing (misses earlier, walk-off make here) is a reminder that the kicking position is highly volatile and emotionally weighted; teams often balance raw range with consistency under pressure. Expect roster conversations to factor in long-term reliability and cap considerations.
Broader narratives and what this game reveals
- The win gives Cleveland a morale-boosting victory and confirms that complementary football (defense + special teams + efficient late offense) can still win close NFL games. For the Browns, this is a blueprint to lean on while they build offensive rhythm.
- For Green Bay, the loss is a cautionary tale about discipline and situational execution. The defense and opener-of-game performance were solid; the problem was collapse at the edges — penalties, a late turnover, and a special-teams lapse. This composite is solvable in coaching terms but costly in the standings.
- From a league-wide perspective, Week 3 provided multiple dramatic finishes across the slate, and this Browns-Packers game joins a pattern that emphasizes special teams as a decisive margin in modern NFL games.
Risk, verification, and claims that need caution
Several narrative elements circulated after the game; most are confirmed by multiple outlets, but a few items require cautious treatment:- Confirmed facts (cross-referenced): final score (13–10), Szmyt’s 55-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, Grant Delpit interception, Quinshon Judkins touchdown, Shelby Harris’s blocked Packers field goal. These are corroborated by team recaps, Reuters, and league-affiliated reporting.
- Claims needing caution or additional verification: a few local/fan sites reported that Szmyt was dealing with a calf injury during the game. That specific medical detail has not been uniformly reported by primary team injury reports or major outlets; treat it as unverified until the Browns' official injury updates or multiple mainstream outlets confirm. Fan-site or social-media claims are useful leads but require confirmation before being stated as fact.
- Performance context caveat: single-game turnarounds (e.g., Szmyt’s make) can inflate or deflate perceptions of long-term competence. Analysts should avoid overfitting to one high-pressure outcome and instead watch the trend over multiple games for roster decisions or market reactions.
What to watch next (short-term indicators)
- Browns offensive adjustments: Will Cleveland exploit a more balanced gameplan to produce sustained drives, or will late comebacks remain the primary path to victory? Monitor third-down conversion rates and red-zone efficiency in the next two games.
- Szmyt’s consistency: Expect analytics teams and coaches to track his kickoff depth, field-goal accuracy inside/outside 40 yards, and pressure-kick outcomes. A single walk-off changes narrative quickly, but consistency is the long-term metric.
- Packers penalty and situational correction: Green Bay’s coaching staff will prioritize practice work on penalties and special-teams protection. Watch whether pre-snap discipline improves and whether schematic adjustments mitigate late-game risks.
Final analysis: strengths, risks, and longer-term outlook
- Strengths demonstrated by Cleveland: complementary football, situational special-teams execution, and veteran game management in the clutch. These are concrete strengths that translate into wins even when the offense is otherwise dormant.
- Risks for the Browns: consistency on offense remains a concern. Winning via late defensive turnovers and special-teams heroics is not a sustainable week-to-week model unless the offense improves its ability to maintain drives and control the clock.
- Strengths and risks for Green Bay: the Packers’ defense and game control were positives for large stretches, but the discipline risk — penalties and one critical turnover — turned a likely victory into defeat. If unaddressed, these issues will cost wins in close division games.
- League-wide significance: the Browns’ win is a reminder that NFL outcomes are often decided by three phases of the game — offense, defense, and special teams — and that any of the three can flip a contest in seconds. For fans and analysts, late-game special-teams play remains one of the highest-leverage, lowest-frequency factors in modern NFL outcomes.
Conclusion
Andre Szmyt’s 55-yard buzzer-beater didn’t just hand the Browns a Week 3 victory — it encapsulated the volatile, edge-defined nature of NFL football where one block, one turnover, and one kick can overwrite 58 minutes of field-position chess. For Cleveland, the win is a season inflection point that showcases complementary football and resiliency. For Green Bay, it is an urgent reminder that penalties, special-teams execution, and situational discipline are not optional in the pursuit of consistent success. The verifiable facts of the comeback — the interception, the block, and the walk-off field goal — are well-documented across team and league reporting, and while some secondary claims (injury details) require further confirmation, the core narrative stands: in this Week 3 thriller, the Browns prevailed because they made the single plays that matter most when the clock hits zero.Source: Cleveland Browns "Andre Szmyt Nails It!" Call of the Game - Week 3 vs. Packers