QB ruins Browns perfect Saturday in Week 15
Nick Mullens replaced Josh Dobbs but couldn’t help Browns playoff hopes
The number of former Cleveland Browns players around the league has always been a discussion point for fans of the team. Sometimes, players failed with the Browns but found success in other locations.
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Former Cleveland quarterbacks have been a much smaller group as many have failed with the Browns and have not been given much of a chance after that. Recent QBs like Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett and, this season, Josh Dobbs have created roles for themselves around the NFL with differing levels of success.
Little-known Nick Mullens is one of the “other” former Cleveland quarterbacks. In Week 15, Mullens replaced Dobbs as the Minnesota Vikings looked to keep their playoff hopes strong. Facing the Cincinnati Bengals, who were somehow just one game back of the Browns fifth seed despite Joe Burrow’s injury, Mullnes could have done his former team a favor.
Later in the day, the Indinapolis Colts and Detroit Lions did their part by knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos. (You can see all the important Week 15 games related to the Browns playoff hunt here)
To start the day, things looked promising for Cleveland. Mullens’ Vikings scored 17 straight points between late first quarter and late in the third. Then the Bengals made a big comeback starting in the fourth quarter with 21 points to take it to overtime.
After forcing a three and out, the Vikings quickly moved the ball to midfield on their drive but two straight failed QB sneaks by Mullens, including on fourth down, gave Cincinnati the ball back near the 50-yard line.
QB Jake Browning then hit Tyler Boyd for a catch and run of 44 yards that put the Bengals in field goal position to end the game three plays later.
If only Mullens was a little stronger or took the snap a little cleaner on one of the two sneaks, the Browns would have had a perfect Saturday watching three AFC wild card contenders fall.
Mullens started one game for the Browns in 2021. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown but couldn’t score enough to get the victory. As he did in Week 15 of the 2023 season, Mullens came up a little short for Cleveland back in 2021 as well, 16-14.
