Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: 3 takeaways from the first win of the season

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:34 p.m. ET

Fansided, Steven Kubitza/FanSided via Dawg Pound Daily

The Cleveland Browns did the impossible and picked up a 20-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers. Here are some takeaways from the win.

Do you believe in Christmas miracles?

The Cleveland Browns finally picked up a win in 2016 with a 20-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers, who have a long, sad cross-country flight awaiting them.

A 1-14 record is nothing to celebrate, but it is infinitely better than the possibility of going 0-16. As the win came on Christmas Eve, here is a condensed version of the takeaways from the game.

A complete game

The Browns finally pieced together a full four quarters. The offense stalled in the fourth quarter after Robert Griffin III left due to a concussion, but the defense never let up.

Two unsuccessful field goal tries by Josh Lambo helped out, but the defense never allowed the big play, while the offense protected the ball and prevented a disaster.

Griffin played well when he was in, but he took too many hits with the final one being the one that ended his day. He did not make it through the entire game, but his team had his back and picked up the victory.

Draft position

Those who are upset that the Browns may have lost the number one overall pick need to think about that more. Do you really want to have the Browns finish 0-16?

A team doesn’t “win” the top pick in the draft. And there is still the possibility the San Francisco 49ers win another game and leave the Browns with the top pick. Fans should just be happy the team ended the 0-16 talks and celebrated a win for the first time in over a year

No perfect season

The Browns needed to win a game this season. Going 0-16 is not only demoralizing for the fans, but it is for the players as well. A young roster needs to celebrate at least one win to know what it feels like, and make losing that much more frustrating.

And as a fan, it was nice to watch the team play a competitive game and actually come away with a win. As easy as it is to make fun of the Browns, it isn’t any fun watching the team lose week after week. The win serves as an early Christmas present, and allows Browns fans to be happy this holiday season when hearing the political opinions of family members.