Browns Offense Clicks on All Cylinders in 51-45 Victory Against Bengals

The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals met in their bi-annual Battle of Ohio Sunday. The game started ominously on the brisk fall-like day. The Bengals offense systematically drove the field down the field in their first drive against the Browns defense on the first possession of the game. The long drive concluded with 4 yard touchdown pass to Bengal running back Rudi Johnson. It looked like the Browns and their fans would be in for a long afternoon from the look of the first 4 minutes of the ballgame. Things looked even more worrisome for Browns faithful as the Browns went 3 and out against a suspect Cincinnati defense. By the end of the game, however, the madness that happened on Tuesday would seem to have to disappeared from memories as the Browns looked like an NFL offense once more and may have restored faith in Cleveland football (well at least for another week).

The Browns defense, however, would come through with a big sack of Carson Palmer and later an interception that gave the Browns field position within the 50 yard line. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson had the chance to complete two passes near the endzone but a drop (who would've guessed) by Braylon Edwards and an overthrow of Joe Jurevicius made the Browns settle for a field goal try. Phil Dawson converted the 40 yard field goal that would make the game the game 7-3.

After a 3 and out by the Bengals, the Cleveland offense would again provide some cheers by Browns fans. Derek Anderson proficiently drove the Browns offensive using all three key targets in Kellen Winslow, Jurevicius, and Edwards. The drive, which started on their own 18, would again end in a Dawson field goal making it a one point game at 7-6.

The Bengals would make a crucial error on their next possession. A fumble at midfield again gave the Browns excellent field position. The Browns offense would take advantage of mistake. Anderson converted a key 3rd down pass to Kellen Winslow on 3 and 13 to the Bengals 22. On another 3rd down, Anderson would make a wonderful throw to the endzone where only receiver Joe Jurevicius could make a play on the ball. Jurevicius did his part, hauling the pass in for a touchdown making the score 13-6 after the conversion by Dawson.

The Bengals, using the run and the pass, moved the ball seemingly at will against the Browns defense on their next possession. The Bengals scored on a TJ Houshmandzadeh reception that was challenged by browns head coach Romeo Crennel. It didn't appear that Houshmandzadeh had gotten both feet down, but the officials did not overturn the call making it a 14-13 lead for the Bengals after the extra point conversion.

The controversial call must have fired up Kent State alum Josh Cribbs, as he gave Cleveland the momentum right back with a kickoff return all the way to the Bengals 11 yard line. A Jamal Lewis run and a Derek Anderson errant throw would make it 3 and 8 at the 9. Anderson would find Jurevicius for the second time for paydirt and the Browns would go up 20-14 on the 6.5 point favored Bengals.

The Browns special teams would again come through on the kickoff with great coverage. Forcing the Bengals offense deep in Browns territory didn't hinder the dangerous Bengals Offense as they quickly moved the ball past the 50 aided by a head to head penalty on Browns safety Rodney Poole. An illegal contact call on Browns rookie cornerback Eric Wright would give the Bengals a first down and the ball inside the 25 yard line. The Browns was burned by Chad Johnson, who on NFL highlight clips tonight, will show he doesn't know his way around Cleveland Browns stadium. Looking confused, I would be confused if I was that wide open too, he wanted to jump into the stands but was held back by a teammate who knowingly told him that the "Dawg Pound" was at the other end of the stadium. Nevertheless, with the touchdown the Bengals regained the lead at 21-20.

Cribbs again would have the Browns fans on their on their feet when he nearly brought another kickoff return for a touchdown but was called back due to for a clipping call. The Browns, brought back nearly 90 yards on the penalty were unfazed. A screen pass to Braylon Edwards would move the chains for a first down and on the next play Jamal Lewis would make his first big play for the Browns as he scampered down the sideline for a 31 yard gain. After a first down reception to Winslow, Braylon Edwards would move the chains again with a circus catch in a crowd of three Bengal defenders. On the next play, Winslow would break free over the middle for a 25 yard touchdown catch and the Browns would regain the lead at 27-21. The Browns converted the last five possessions into touchdowns to end the first half and the first half would see five lead changes in the wild first half.

The Browns were set to receive the kickoff in the second half. Derek Anderson would make his first big mistake of the game on the first play of the half. He threw an easy interception that gave the Bengals a short field on the Browns 25. Rudi Johnson, who already contributed 70 first half rushing yards, would gain 14 yards and 8 yards on consecutive plays. Johnson would again get the call on 2nd and 2 but was unable to pick up the first down. The Bengals, using a no huddle offense, were unable to pick up a first down a quarterback sneak forcing a field goal by Shane Graham and the Browns lead would dwindle to 27-24.

It wouldn't take long for Browns offense to get back on track, however, as the Browns stung the Bengals secondary with passes and kept the linebackers aware with strong running by Jamal Lewis. Anderson would get his fourth touchdown pass of the game as he completed a 44 yard pass to Braylon Edwards and make the game a 10 point affair at 34-24.

The Bengals would not rollover, however, getting a kickoff return from Glenn Holt to the Browns 34. The Bengals offensive would only need 4 plays to complete the drive that culminated with a Chad Johnson 14 yard touchdown pass. Johnson also got his chance to make good on his claim of jumping into the "Dawg Pound". He was doused with beer and some expletives but, all and all, it was a non-event.

The Browns would get the ball with a 34-31 lead and Jamal Lewis would bring the crowd to euphorics when he would bring back memories of his Ravens days at Cleveland Browns stadium with a 66 yard run to the endzone. The Browns again would go up by 10 points and crowd would see a staggering 700 yards and 72 points of total offense with 6 minutes to go in the third quarter.

The Bengals, now down 41-31, would again drive the ball. The Bengals 9 plays in 5 minutes to make the game 41-38. Houshmandzadeh would score his second touchdown reception. Getting another great return from Cribbs the Brown once again started on the 40. Romeo Crennel's gamble at 4 and a half yard was hindered by unimaginative play calling that had the fullback Lawrence Vickers stopped just short of a first down. The Bengals were unable to take advantage of turning the turnover on downs as they would have to punt after a 3 and out but did manage to pin back Cleveland to their own 8 yard line.

Jamal Lewis would make it look like a flashback to 4 years ago ripping a 60 run and Braylon Edwards would have another touchdown reception as Anderson connected with the former Michigan standout on a 37 yard completion a 92 yard drive. The Browns now had the Bengals on the ropes and the defense would come through with a stop. The defense did their job and the Browns offense again drove the ball at will and were able to convert a field goal making the score 51-38.

The Bengals weren't done scoring as they once again scored a touchdown by Glenn Holt and went 64 yards in 2:00 making a 6 point game once again. The Browns, however, would have the offense managed to take enough clock. The Bengals got the ball back at the 9 but with only one minute remaining. Leigh Bodden sealed the victory with an interception with 21 seconds left.