When the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens got together for a clash in week five of the NFL season, there are very few if any people who thought that the Browns would be in the conversation for getting the win. Even during the week of the game the writers of VAVEL USA voted unanimously that the Ravens would win this game. But Josh McCown was going to have something to say about that, and he has since been rewarded for his excellent play by receiving the VAVEL USA Offensive Player of Week Five Award.
There are many reasons why he deserves the award this week, and for starters it would be completing a comeback victory on the road against their AFC North divisional rival. The Ravens had leapt out to a 21-9 lead in the second half and McCown led them back to a victory. Previously with no touchdowns, they finally got their fist touchdown of the game when McCown ended up getting his number called and he rushed it in from 10 yards out of the end zone to reduce the deficit to a mere 5 points.
Also, who can forget the wonderful touchdown reception made by his tight end Gary Barnidge, which actually gave the Browns a brief lead as they went for two and were unable to get it as McCown was unable to connect with Travis Benjamin for those two precious points.
But a few drives later, trailing again by five points, he was able to find Isaiah Crowell for another touchdown pass from 22 yards out this time. The Browns would go for two again and McCown did not disappoint this time as he found Andrew Hawkins for the two point conversion reception. The Ravens would wind up kicking a field goal to tie the game back up and force overtime.
In overtime, the Ravens had the ball first but punted to the Browns. McCown had another good pass to Barnidge on the drive for 19 yards, but kept the dink and dunk alive to get the ball down to the Ravens 14 yard line where Travis Coons would kick the game winning field goal.
McCown did have the most passing yards of all quarterbacks across the NFL in week five with 457 yards, completing 36 of his 51 pass attempts. He also had the two passing touchdowns without an interception and a rushing touchdown as well. He will be looking to have even more success in week six, but it would be another upset, because they are going up against the undefeated Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.