The Cleveland Browns' defense had little to play for in Week 18, so the team decided to just have fun out there. That approach worked early on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, though it came with a cost.
With time running down in the first quarter, Browns linebacker Devin Bush intercepted a Joe Burrow pass deep in Browns territory. While it looked like Bush would run out of gas on the return, he got a key block from Myles Garrett deep down the field, eventually making it all the way to the end zone for a 97-yard score.
When Bush got there, he turned around to face the pursuing Bengals and did the Marshawn Lynch crotch-grab celebration. You know, the oneLynch did after his iconic "Beast Quake" run.
The officials didn't miss a beat, and immediately threw a penalty flag.
The touchdown stood, but the team was penalized for the crotch-grab celebration.
If you thought that was going to deter the Browns' defense moving forward ... you were wrong.
On the next drive, Cleveland forced a fumble in Bengals territory. Browns cornerback Sam Webb scooped up the ball and ran it all the way back to the end zone for another Cleveland defensive score.
As Webb crossed the goal line, he also turned around and did the Lynch celebration, immediately drawing another flag.
The Browns were again penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. It was the second straight drive they were flagged with that penalty after that specific celebration.
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While the Browns getting flagged on both plays should not come as a surprise, the fact that the team immediately performed the celebration a second time should draw questions. The defense clearly wasn't deterred by the first flag, and didn't seem to care about picking up another penalty.
In the Browns' defense, neither penalty played a major role in the game. Those defensive scores were the only TDs Cleveland got in the victory.
The Bengals turned the ball over after the first penalty and were forced to punt on the team's next offensive drive after the second penalty.
Aside fromMyles Garrett's sack record chase, which he achieved, the Browns didn't have much to play for after coming into Week 18 sitting at 4-12. Does it really matter if they get penalized for excessive celebrations after scoring twice on Burrow and the Bengals?
Of course, it also helped thatCleveland went on to win the contest 20-18. While theBrowns face a lot of questionsthis offseason, the team's defense should return as its biggest strength in 2026.
