The NFL has been a whirlwind of surprises this week, with the Cleveland Browns taking the spotlight by orchestrating one of the season’s most significant upsets. Their 19-17 victory over the heavily favored San Francisco 49ers, who were sporting a 9.5-point advantage, sent shockwaves throughout the league. What made the Browns’ triumph all the more astonishing is their historical reluctance to best-undefeated teams.
Since the merger of the AFL and NFL in 1970, the Browns had amassed a disheartening record of 0-12 against undefeated opponents, boasting a 5-0 or better start to their seasons. However, this jinx was shattered with their remarkable victory over the formidable San Francisco 49ers. For the 49ers, the loss marked the end of a remarkable 15-game regular-season winning streak, equalling the franchise’s longest streak in its history.
The astonishment didn’t stop with the Browns’ upset. The New York Jets also created seismic waves in the later games by stunning the Philadelphia Eagles. This victory, which came at the expense of the previously undefeated Eagles, holds historical significance for the Jets, as they recorded their first-ever win against Philadelphia. This was a monumental breakthrough for the Jets, who, up until this year, had remained winless against the Eagles, with an 0-12 record.
In the post-game assessments, the Browns were amongst a select group of four teams that earned an ‘A’ or ‘A-‘ grade for their performances during the afternoon games on Sunday. With that said, who were the other standout teams? Let’s delve into the grading and discover the noteworthy performers of the week.
