Unbelievable Ending in Cleveland: Rookie Kicker Stuns Packers With Last-Second 55-Yard Bomb to Seal the Browns’ 13-10 Comeback Win
CLEVELAND — Sometimes in football, the spotlight doesn’t shine on the star quarterbacks, flashy wideouts, or bruising running backs. Sometimes, it belongs to the unlikeliest of heroes. On Sunday, rookie kicker Andre Szmyt etched his name into Cleveland Browns lore with one swing of his leg, drilling a 55-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Browns to a stunning 13-10 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers.
The game, held at Cleveland Browns Stadium, had all the makings of a grind-it-out, defensive slugfest. For most of the afternoon, neither offense could find consistent rhythm. The Packers, led by quarterback Jordan Love, struck early with a first-half touchdown and seemed content to lean on their defense to protect a slim lead. Meanwhile, the Browns struggled to finish drives, repeatedly stalling out against Green Bay’s pressure.
By the fourth quarter, the Browns trailed 10-6, and frustration was mounting in the stands. But football in Cleveland has always had a flair for the dramatic, and this one would be no different.
With just under two minutes left on the clock, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson orchestrated a desperate march down the field. A pair of clutch completions and a gritty run after the catch from Amari Cooper pushed Cleveland into enemy territory. But the clock was bleeding away, and Green Bay’s defense was stiffening at the edge of field-goal range.
Enter Szmyt, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie who just months ago was fighting for a roster spot in training camp. Known for his consistency at Syracuse, he had never faced a moment quite like this — a pressure-packed, game-on-the-line kick with an entire stadium holding its breath.
The ball was snapped. The hold was clean. And Szmyt’s kick soared through the night sky, carrying just enough distance to sneak over the crossbar from 55 yards out. As the officials signaled it was good, the crowd erupted into chaos. Teammates mobbed the rookie, helmets flew into the air, and the Browns had stolen a win that seemed all but lost.
“Dream come true,” Szmyt said after the game, fighting back a smile. “That’s what you live for as a kicker. You prepare for those moments every single day, and to deliver for my teammates and for this city means everything.”
For the Browns, the victory was about more than just one kick. It was about resilience. Trailing late, they refused to fold, showing grit on both sides of the ball. The defense kept them within striking distance, and when the opportunity came, Szmyt made sure the moment would not slip away.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski praised his young kicker’s composure. “For a rookie to step up in that situation — that’s special,” Stefanski said. “It takes nerves of steel to hit that kick, and Andre delivered.”
The win improves Cleveland’s record and injects fresh confidence into a team battling for position in a crowded AFC race. For Green Bay, the loss stings, not only because of how it ended but because they squandered chances to put the game out of reach.
Still, the night will be remembered less for the Packers’ missed opportunities and more for the Browns’ unforgettable finish. Cleveland fans, long accustomed to heartbreak, finally got a miracle of their own — delivered by a rookie kicker whose name they won’t forget anytime soon.
And as Szmyt soaked in the roar of the Dawg Pound, one thing became clear: on this night, Cleveland didn’t just beat Green Bay. They found a new hero.
