Three Big Takeaways

Shelby Harris' blocked field goal sets up win for the Browns | 3 Big Takeaways

Andre Szmyt kicks a perfect game in win over Packers

Sep 21, 2025 at 07:48 PM

Kelsey Russo

Associate Editor & Staff Writer

The Browns earned their first win of the 2025 season in a comeback fashion, scoring 13 unanswered points late in the fourth quarter through the efforts of all three sides of the ball. Two made field goals, an interception, a rushing touchdown and a blocked field goal set the Browns up to come away with the 13-10 victory over the Packers.

"Really proud of that football team in there, feeding off of each other," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Was not always easy. And listen, that's a great football team on the other side. I have a ton of respect for Coach (Matt) LaFleur and that group. That's a great, great team. And we battled to the end and made those plays when we needed to and just fed off of each other and complemented each other."

Here are three takeaways from the Browns' win over the Packers.

Andre Szmyt's perfect day in the kicking game

With two seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter, K Andre Szmyt lined up his kick from 55 yards out. After the ball was snapped and secured by P Corey Bojorquez, Szmyt took his steps forward, planted his left foot and kicked the ball. He watched the ball sail through the uprights as the clock hit 0:00, before he was swarmed by his teammates for winning the game 13-10.

"I'm really proud of that young man," Stefanski said. "I'm happy for that young man. He's been through a lot, and he came through. So, really happy for him."

While Szmyt's game-winning field goal highlighted the day, he also made two other key kicks that played an important role in the Browns' win. The Browns were held scoreless through the first three quarters of the game, but late in the fourth quarter after an offensive drive stalled, they were in position for a field goal. Szmyt took the field to kick a 35-yard field goal, putting the Browns' first points of the game on the board.

Just 37 seconds later, after an interception by S Grant Delpit set the Browns up in the red zone and RB Quinshon Judkins ran the ball in for a rushing touchdown, Szmyt took the field again for the extra point attempt. His made extra point tied the game at 10 apiece.

He capped off his perfect kicking day with the 55-yard field goal as time expired, securing their first win of the season. Szmyt scored seven of the Browns' 13 points against the Packers.

"I think this sums up the job title pretty well," Szmyt said. "Look Corey (Bojorquez) and Rex (Sunahara) did a fantastic job, Shelby (Harris) on that blocked field goal. And the offense just getting us in range to make that kick. Couldn't have done it without those guys."

Szmyt said the 55-yard game winner may be one of the biggest kicks of his career. He had felt confident from that range, as he had practiced from that distance in pregame warmups to help him be prepared a long-distance field goal. As he watched the blocked field goal and the offense take the field, he mentally prepared for the possibility of kicking a field goal.

"I was just kind of getting ready," Szmyt said. "They didn't necessarily have to tell me. I was like okay, we're going to hit this. Same thing, stick with my process. I trust those guys with my life, so it makes my job easier."

Szmyt's start as the Browns' kicker has had some small ups and downs, as he missed a key extra point and field goal in Week 1 against the Bengals. He then kicked a perfect game in the Browns' 41-17 loss to the Ravens, making both field goal attempts and two extra points.

On Friday, Szmyt popped up on the injury report with a left calf injury. Stefanski said Szmyt would have imaging done to evaluate the injury and was deemed to not have an injury status heading into Sunday's game.

"I knew I was going to try to get through it no matter what," Szmyt said. "It was just a little sore. The trainer did a great job alleviating some of the tightness. I just went out there and felt good."