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What Did David Bell Say About His Career Game In Week 18?

Originally posted on FanNation Browns Digest
By Spencer German | Last updated 1/8/24

With the AFC's fifth seed already locked up going into Week 18 and nothing of consequence to play, the Browns main goal in what wound up being a 31-14 loss to the Bengals, was simply to get to the postseason as healthy as possible.

With that in mind, Kevin Stefanski treated the matchup like a preseason game, keeping as many of his key starters off the field. But one man's absence is another's opportunity and 2022 second-round pick, David Bell took full advantage of his.

Bell played 98-percent of the team's offensive snaps on Sunday, putting up a career day in the process with a team high four catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

"It felt good," Bell said afterward. "I've been waiting for the opportunity to come, and unfortunately we lost, but I ended up having a pretty decent."

Decent is selling it short. The only players on the team with a better single-game performance that that of Bell are fellow wideouts Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore, as well as tight end David Njoku. Both Cooper and Njoku have topped Bells output multiple times and each also have a two touchdown game. Moore only topped it once and has just two touchdowns all season.

.@jeffdriskel dropped it in over the defense on 4th down#CLEvsCIN on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/rdKVLFxTEd
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 7, 2024

Bell's first score came on a 31-yard, fourth-quarter pass from Jeff Driskel to the back corner of the end zone. Driskel's dropped a nicely placed pass sover two defenders and right into the lap of the sure-handed' Purdue product. If was the first points of the game for Cleveland after being shutout for the first three quarters.

"Yeah I did [have a smile on my face]," Bell said of his reaction on the play. "I'm always smiling. A lot of my family was here, so they had an opportunity to see what was happening today also."

Touchdown No. 2 came on the Browns very next possession, to end a nine-play, 75-yard drive. This time, Driskel floated a beautiful pass in between bracketed coverage to Bell along the right sideline. He hauled in with a defender on him, backing in for the score.

.@DB3LL rises up between defenders and muscles his way into the end zone #CLEvsCIN on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/JZTFW6uKzZ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 7, 2024

The game didn't mean much for the Browns playoff standing, but it means something for a second-year player, trying to find his footing in the pros. With a trip to the playoffs looming next weekend, Bell will will have the opportunity to make even more meaningful plays

"Like I said, we lost, and we wanted to end this season on a good note," Bell said. "But we know we have a second season in front of us, and not a lot of teams get that opportunity. So by us finishing the season and transferring over to the postseason, now our main focus is Houston."

The Browns visit the Texans at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to open up Super Wild Card Weekend.

This article first appeared on FanNation Browns Digest and was syndicated with permission.

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