Browns step up without Garrett, down Eagles in steady rain

CLEVELAND — Kareem Hunt lifted off just inside the 5-yard line, soared over the head of Philadelphia’s Jalen Mills like an Olympic long jumper and landed in the end zone.

Without star Myles Garrett, the Browns needed someone to step up.

Hunt went above and beyond — and he wasn’t the only one.

Hunt hurdled Mills on a sensational touchdown run, Olivier Vernon made up for Garrett’s absence due to COVID-19 by getting three sacks and a safety, and Cleveland stayed firmly in the playoff picture with a wet 22-17 victory over the Eagles.

Hunt’s leaping 5-yard scorecame shortly after a dazzling 54-yard run by Nick Chubbas the Browns (7-3) finally found traction in their running game in a constant downpour.

“It was like he never stopped going up,” Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said of Hunt, comparing his gravity-defying move to something out of a video game. “He jumped and just kept levitating. It was like a Super Mario double bounce.”

Cleveland also got a 50-yard interception return TDin the first half by second-year linebacker Sione Takitaki, and the Browns constantly harassed Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz despite playing without Garrett, the NFL’s sacks leader.

“I’m smiling and crying,” Garrett posted on Twitter. “I’m so proud of the DL.”

Wentz, who threw two more interceptions, pulled the Eagles (3-6-1) within 22-17 with a TD pass in the final minute, but the Browns recovered an onside kick and secured win No. 7 — one more than they had in 2019 — under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski.

On Friday, the Browns placed Garrett on the COVID-19 list to cap a week of challenges tied to the virus. It’s still not known when they’ll get dynamic end back, but his teammates stepped up and made the kind of big plays he’s known for.

“You lose a guy of Myles’ caliber, you are not going to replace him,” Stefanski said. “You need guys to step up, and it is a committee approach.”

Chubb and Hunt, who give Cleveland a devastating 1-2 punch, combined on the game’s biggest sequence in the fourth quarter.

After the Eagles closed within 12-10 on Jake Elliott’s 43-yard field goal, Hunt went on his long run, which included him flattening defensive end Joe Ostman with a stiff arm.

Two plays later, Hunt, who had just 11 yards on 13 carries, swept right and jumped over an unsuspecting Mills near the goal line to put the Browns up 19-10.

“We have the best backfield in the league,” Mayfield said. “There’s no question. I love watching those guys run.”

It was another tough day for Wentz and the Eagles, plagued by inconsistency and injuries all season. Wentz made a bad choice on his pick to Takitaki, threw a late interception — his 14th this season — and was sacked five times. Wentz has been sacked a league-leading 40 times.

“We are where we are because of the mistakes we’re making, coaches and players,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “This is a test to see who’s in, who’s out. That’s where we are. It’s a matter of challenging the leadership of the football team, challenging the guys to keep things together. We still have an opportunity in our division.”

Cody Parkey kicked two field goals as the Browns, who are trying to end an 18-year postseason drought, went 2-1 in three straight home games played in awful weather conditions.

Vernon, who plays on the opposite side from Garrett, gave the Browns a 12-7 lead in the third quarter when he brought down Wentz inthe end zone.

Wentz’s hesitation helped set up Takitaki’s easy TD. Philly’s quarterback ignored an open receiver and instead tried to swing the ball to Miles Sanders as he was hit by blitzing cornerback Denzel Ward.

“When I saw the ball in the air, I was like, ‘I’ve got to go get it,’” Takitaki said. “When I did, I saw nothing but daylight in front of me.”

Steady starting center Jason Kelce hurt his elbow in the first half, and his loss forced the Eagles to turn to undrafted rookie Luke Juriga, the 12th lineman used this season. Kelce played the second half in a large brace.

Left tackle Lane Johnson hurt his shoulder in the second half.

Browns: Safety Ronnie Harrison, a major bright spot of late, injured his knee on Philadelphia’s first series and didn’t return. Stefanski said Harrison will undergo an MRI.

Browns: Cleveland hits the road at Jacksonville on Nov. 29.