Despite being the visiting team, the Green Bay Packers were heavy favorites to defeat the Cleveland Browns and start the season 3-0. The Packers are considered strong contenders in the National Conference, while the Browns were seen as likely to have the worst record in the NFL and secure the first pick in the upcoming Draft.
However, something unusual happened. The Packers dominated much of the game, but the main problem was their inability to put more points on the board. Jordan Love threw a crucial interception in the final quarter, and a blocked field goal by Brandon McManus compounded Green Bay’s misfortune in Week 3.
With no time left on the clock, rookie Andre Szmyt connected a 55-yard field goal, sealing Cleveland’s comeback and their first victory of the season, 13-10. So far, it stands as the biggest upset of the NFL season.
Micah Parsons left furious by Packers’ defeat
There is no doubt that the Packers’ defensive star is Micah Parsons, although he had a quiet game and made a critical mistake. The former Dallas Cowboys player recorded 2 tackles and 2 quarterback pressures against the Browns.
Parsons’ biggest error came on a neutral zone infraction during the first play of Cleveland’s final offensive series. The 5-yard penalty allowed the Browns to advance and set up Szmyt’s 55-yard game-winning field goal.
“This is character building, this is adversity… undefeated seasons, they’re hard in the NFL… and sometimes just like today, you s**t the bed… it’s hard as hell to win football games,” Parsons said after the game.
The Packers now face a challenging week, especially for Parsons, who will return next Sunday to AT&T Stadium to face his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, where he recorded 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons.
Read the full article here
