Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said “Colt McCoy knows how to win games”.  And that’s exactly what the second year quarterback did in leading the Browns to a 17-16 win over the Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon at Browns Stadium.

McCoy led the Browns on a two-minute drive that led to the game-winning touchdown.  McCoy hit wide receiver Mohammed Massaquoi with a leaping grab in along the sidelines from 14 yards to tie the score at 16.  Phil Dawson added the extra point to give the Browns a one-point lead. 

Miami had a chance in the final 43 seconds.  Thanks to two Browns penalties, the Dolphins took over at the Cleveland 47.  Chad Henne misfired on three passes.  His fourth down throw to Brandon Marshall was picked off by Browns safety Mike Adams to end the threat. 

After the game, Shurmur was asked if he had any words for McCoy before the final drive.  Shurmur told the quarterback.  “Get in the end zone.  Get us in the end zone”. 

The Browns began the drive on their own 20 with 3:23 to go.  McCoy hit five straight passes to get the offense to the Miami 43 yard line.  Passes to Benjamin Watson and Montario Hardesty got the Browns to the Miami 27.  Then, a costly offside on Miami on a third and 10 gave the Browns another chance.  A pass to Evan Moore gave the Browns a first down at the 14 setting up Massaquoi’s heroics. 

After the game, Shurmur said ‘what I was proudest of is when it wasn’t pretty, and at times it was very ugly, they hung in there and competed.  Because you don’t know.  I’m excited for those guys in that locker room because we have two victories in week three”.

Miami got on the scoreboard in the first quarter.  Following an interception of a Colt McCoy pass by Jimmy Wilson at the Browns 43 yard line, the Dolphins began a four-play drive that got them into the end zone. Danny Thomas took a screen pass from quarterback Chad Henne and went into the end zone untouched to give Miami a 7-0 lead.

The Browns got their first touchdown in the second quarter.  On a first down play from the Miami 33, Colt McCoy rolled out of the pocket and found Josh Cribbs in the right corner of the end zone.  The pass was a little high, but Cribbs went up and got it over Miami cornerback Sean Smith for the touchdown.  That tied the game at 7.

The Dolphins completed the first half scoring with 30 seconds to go in the second quarter.  Dan Carpenter completed an 11-play 75-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal.  That allowed Miami to go into the locker room with a 10-7 lead. 

Cleveland got the offense going on the opening drive in the second half.  In seven plays, the Browns moved from their 20 yard line to the Miami 12.  But, the drive stalled out.  Phil Dawson came on to boot a 30-yard field goal to tie the game at 10.

Miami added field goals from Carpenter of 41 and 38 yards to give the Dolphins a 16-10 lead.

The Browns are back at Cleveland Browns Stadium next Sunday to take on the Tennessee Titans.

THE SCOREBOARD:

Miami – 7 – 3 – 3 – 3 = 16

Cleveland – 0 – 7 – 3 – 7 = 17

FIRST QUARTER:

M- Danny Thomas 10 yard pass from Chad Henne (Carpenter Kick) 8:09

SECOND QUARTER:

C – Josh Cribbs 33 yard pass from Colt McCoy.  (Phil Dawson Kick) 7:16

M – Dan Carpenter 23 yard Field Goal 0:27

THIRD QUARTER:

C – Phil Dawson 30 yard Field Goal 10:37

M – Dan Carpenter 41 yard Field Goal 2:29

FOURTH QUARTER:

M – Dan Carpenter 38 yard Field Goal 3:23

C- Mohammed Massaquoi 14 yard pass from Colt McCoy (Dawson Kick) 0:43