In one of the more dominant individual performances of the Browns’ past decade, Benjamin scored on touchdowns of 78, 60 and 50 yards in Cleveland’s 28-14 victory against Tennessee, giving the 25-year-old wide receiver five touchdowns in his last two games against the Titans.
“He might not be allowed in Nashville ever again,” Pettine said with a grin.
Benjamin became the first player in Browns history to record two receiving scores and a punt return touchdown in the same game. Benjamin’s 269 combined yards (115 receiving, 154 on punt returns) are tied for the seventh-most in a single-game in team history.
What was astonishing about Benjamin’s career day was the timing of all three scores. The first provided the momentum the crowd and defense craved; the second gave the cushion Cleveland badly needed at halftime; the third straight up won the game for the Browns.
“Teams are going into weeks definitely preparing for Trav now,” quarterback Johnny Manziel said.
Benjamin’s party started on the second play of the game on offense. Benjamin saw Tennessee was playing single coverage deep and gave a pre-snap signal to Manziel,
“I told Johnny, just launch it up,” Benjamin said, “and I’ll go get it.”
On a go route down the middle of the field, Benjamin torched Coty Sensabaugh, completely turning around the Titans cornerback on his way into the end zone. The 60-yard hookup ignited FirstEnergy Stadium in ways that can’t be measured. The defense fed off the touchdown, forcing a fumble on the very next series and continued its mad pursuit of Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.
While Cleveland’s 14-0 lead in the second quarter seemed rather comfortable, the offense struggled to move the football. The electric beginning to the game felt like it was eons ago. When Tennessee’s Brett Kern booted a routine punt with one minute and change left in the half, the Titans thought they’d be heading into its locker room with the score as it was.
Tennessee forgot about Benjamin.
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