Josh Gordon emerging as elite deep threat for Browns

The Cleveland Browns have been waiting for one of their young players to step up on offense, and against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, it was wide receiver Josh Gordon who answered the call. Gordon grabbed six catches for 116 yards and had a 44-yard touchdown, all of which were personal bests.

Gordon's play was all part of the game plan against the Raiders, who had allowed 23 passing touchdowns to that point in the season, which tied for the league lead. Quarterback Brandon Weeden spoke on Gordon and his breakout performance, via Cleveland.com:

"He's been kinda tapping on the window waiting to break out. I've got so much confidence in the guy and you get him in space, you get him in one-on-one matchups ... He's a big-bodied guy with great hands.

"He's come a long way. He's made strides throughout this year that I've never seen in any sport a player make so fast."

The Browns have been waiting for Gordon to show off some of that explosiveness after he caught four touchdowns during a three-game stretch in October. Gordon was targeted seven times, with the incompletion being more on Weeden than Gordon, as the rookie quarterback was hit while throwing, and the ball was intercepted.

Gordon had another big play on the day, grabbing an 11-yard reception on the Browns' final possession, when the team faced a 3rd-and-3 from their own 13.