Browns receiver Josh Gordon was planning to make more plays than Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib on Sunday.
And Gordon did.
Following a franchise-record 261 receiving yards in Week 13, Gordon added 151 receiving yards against New England. It gives Gordon 774 receiving yards in the last four games, which is the highest total generated by any player over a four-game stretch.
Earlier this year, Calvin Johnson generated 746 yards in a four-game span, which included 329 against the Cowboys, the highest production in any non-overtime game.
Gordon’s brilliance nevertheless has been wasted. The Browns have lost each of the last four games, all of which came after the bye.
Still, the second-year wideout’s performance provides hope for the future. If -- and only if -- the man believed to be in Stage Three of the substance-abuse program for the rest of his career can avoid another violation of the policy, which would get him banished for at least one year.