Browns D hands out TD’s like it’s still Halloween

The Browns lost to the Denver Broncos 34-30 tonight.  They blew their 2nd big lead in 5 days after blowing one against the Ratbirds on Sunday.

The defense was atrocious in the 2nd half allowing John Elway, I mean, Jay Cutler to throw for 447 yards.  One of his completions went for a 97 yard TD to start the 4th quarter to Eddie Royal.  The biggest mistake the Browns made in the second half was NOT calling timeout there.  Brandon McDonald clearly saw that he was on an island, and the defense was not in position to cover the play.  Cutler and Royal saw it too.  A well thrown ball and a mistake by McDonald to go for the ball closed the gap for Denver, 23-20.

The defense couldn’t get off the field in the 4th.  McDonald looked terrible, as he was being beat all day.  He fell down on the Broncos final touchdown by Brandon Marshall, and also had 2 dropped interceptions.  Their was no pressure on Cutler the entire quarter.  The Browns were so sure that each play was going to be a pass, that they let a rookie fullback, Peyton Hillis, run for 24 yards on 8 carries and a key 4th down play.

The first half was all Cleveland as they took a 20-10 lead into the break.  Brady Quinn looked sharp and Kellen Winslow had 2 TD’s.  Quinn finished with 239 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Winslow had a great night when you look at his stats, getting 11 catches for 111 yards and 2 TD’s.  Jamal Lewis ran the ball effectively, getting 60 yards and a touchdown.  My boy, Jerome Harrison had a great night, but saw limited time.  He had only 5 carries for 48 yards.  When will we see more of him?  He is a great change of pace from Lewis and has the speed that Lewis lacks.  He also showed some strength in moving the pile for a first down.

Quinn looked calm and confident the entire game until the final possession.  With 1:14 remaining, the Browns took the field at their own 33.  The way the offense had moved the ball suggested that we could be in for a thrilling finish.  Instead, Quinn got antsy and the play calling disappeared.  After a first down reception for 9 yards, Quinn under threw Jason Wright on 3rd down.  On fourth down and 1, the Browns should have at least shown the potential run, but instead went with a set that screams pass play.  As it turned out, Winslow let the sure first down reception sail through his hands on a simple slant.  Game over.

Joshua Cribbs looked great as always.  He consistently had returns to great field position and the Browns capitalized in the first half.  He also made tackles on special teams and had a couple nice runs for 48 total yards.

Phil Dawson nailed a 52 yard field goal before half to put the Browns up by 10.  He also seems to be getting the ball deeper down the field on kickoffs.  His wife did a nice job singing the national anthem as well.  The Browns budget must be tight.  Next week, maybe it will be Donte Stallworth’s doctor.

At 3-6, the Browns playoff chances are extremely thin.  I had Denver as a win and I was only giving the Browns 6 of them this year.  We still might get six wins, but they are going to have to work hard for them.  Romeo said the change was about wins.

The Brady Quinn era has started and it is exciting.  I just hope the wins come with it.

Go BROWNS!

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Last post (s) by Tom Kuhman

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