Odell Beckham Jr. shows clutch gene on game-clinching 50-yard TD run at Cowboys

The Browns were at risk of the most Cleveland of losses: A 27-point lead in Dallas against the Cowboys had evaporated to a slim three-point margin. Odell Beckham Jr. took a reverse and looked doomed 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

But then one of the most notable acquisitions in Browns history escaped an initial defender in the backfield and took off down the right sideline with blockers. He cut back inside, then outside once more, before outracing all the Cowboys into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day to put Cleveland up nine points prior to the point after.

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Beckham had already scored Sunday on a receiving touchdown from his former LSU teammate and fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry, a 37-yard touchdown. Then Beckham caught a 4-yard touchdown from Baker Mayfield in the second quarter, the first score of what became 34 unanswered Cleveland points to go ahead 41-14. Dallas made it all the way back to within 41-38 before Beckham’s hat trick score. The Browns won 49-38.

Cleveland lined up to kick an extra point after Beckham’s touchdown, but the kick from Cody Parkey was blocked at the line. The ball flew off past the line of scrimmage to the offense’s left, and after a couple of bounces, Browns tight end Stephen Carlson dove onto the ball in the end zone.

The referees initially looked confused, and the play was complicated by a Dallas player lining up offside. The offense is allowed to recover that kick in the end zone for two points, even when attempting the 1-point try. Fox’s Dean Blandino clarified on the broadcast that the ball needed to be picked up in the end zone, though. If it had been picked up outside the end zone, it would’ve been the conclusion of the play.

Dallas likely pursued the loose ball in an attempt to return it themselves. A return on a blocked extra point by the defense equates to two points.