How do you think the offensive line did against DE Myles Garrett?
"I think the O-line stepped up. I think they did a fantastic job, containing him and moving him off his spot in the running game. Then in the passing game, I think they did an unbelievable job. He's a great player. I think our O-line stepped up and they're the reason why we won the game."
Was the thought process coming in to try and establish the run?
"Just really doing our base plays good. Doing what the O-line loves. Doing what (RB) Tony (Pollard) loves. He saw it real well tonight. The O-line opened some holes for him and that's what we have to continue to do. Continue to use those guys in the game and that will continue to help us."
What does the win do to help the team going forward?
"It feels good to win, but winning still hides stuff. There are a lot of flaws that we have to continue to get over, personally and then as a team. We just have to come next week with the right mindset."
How important was it to get the first touchdown on the opening drive this season?
"About time, honestly. That's really all there is to it. We have to continue to be efficient. I have to be efficient, throwing my guys open, putting it in their radius to make plays. We just have to continue to be efficient in the run game. Lean on those guys and they are going to help us spring some big ones."
Can you take us through your play-action touchdown pass to WR Elic Ayomanor?
"Man coverage. We're running a run-away which is the best thing to do, especially against man coverage and the protection that we were in. (QB Coach) Bo (Hardegree) called a fantastic play and Elic did the rest. He got separation on him, O-line held their blocks, and we had an easy touchdown."
What did it take to get a win today?
"Just us playing good enough football all for three quarters. We didn't play our best ball in the fourth quarter. And that is just something as players, we have to hold ourselves to that standard. We have to not have a play off here and there. We have to continue to communicate at a high level in all three phases. Special teams did real good today. They helped us win the game today in a major way. Just continue to have efficient plays. Not getting in any get-back situations and not playing behind the sticks."
Did you get a chance to talk to Browns QB Shedeur Sanders after the game and what was that conversation like? "Real good. Being able to catch up with him. Just him know that I'm here. I'm excited to see him keep going and he's going to continue to make plays for Cleveland. He's a good quarterback, so I'm excited to have him as a friend."
What was it like to start drives with advantageous field position?
"It was real good. That's just what we need as a whole team. For those guys to come along and make plays for us and give the offense another opportunity after we have a 3-and-out is big for us and we just have to reward those guys with points."
How much did you need this win?
"I really didn't need it. I treat the wins the same, I treat the losses the same. There's always something that I can do better. There's a lot of plays that I missed out there, just not giving my receivers a chance. I"ll wake up tomorrow and I'll do the same thing I did last week. Have to be better."
What are your goals to accomplish individually and as a team?
"As a team, we want to accomplish finishing every game this season with a win. That's the biggest goal we have in mind. And I think just personally, just playing my way of football. The way I know how to play football. The way I've played my whole life. Just continue to be aggressive. Don't let one bad play turn into the next play. You have to live with the good. Critique the good, but you also have to live through the bad and critique the bad and not let things
carry over."
How important was it to have complimentary football so it's not all on you?
"I don't think it's all on me. And if it is all on me, then that's the responsibility that I want. I just think us playing complimentary football for the majority part of the game is one of the reasons why we won the game. Getting us some stops on defense. Special teams making some plays for us and on the outside (RB) Tony Pollard making plays."
You talked about in your documentary about giving up football in high school. How do wins like this help your mindset going forward?
"You just have to wake up with the right mindset every day. Get better at the little things. You also have to see the bigger picture, ahead of the road. Wins and losses don't matter in terms of myself in the process, because every day, win or lose, I have to get better. In a win, you can hide stuff. In a loss, everything gets shown to light. I just continue
to live my life day by day. Try to be there for my teammates and try to win games for my team."
