Browns 20, Bengals 12: Breaking it down
Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram
THUMBS UP
Kamerion Wimbley and Alex Hall, Browns outside linebackers
Wimbley finally awoke from his season-long slumber and made quite an impact. He had three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble that set up a touchdown.
Hall, in his second start, had a strip-sack and a tackle for loss. With 3:01 left and the Browns clinging to a 17-12 lead, he flew around the right end and chased down quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who fumbled. Corey Williams recovered and the Browns kicked a field goal to extend the lead.
THUMBS DOWN
Neutral zone infractions
The Browns were called for lining up in the neutral zone three times (they also had an offsides) and the Bengals were whistled three times. According to coach Romeo Crennel, the player would look to make sure he was behind the ball, then take his stance and his “body lean” would force him across the line of scrimmage.
Whatever. This was just part of an overall ugly game.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The Browns took a 10-6 lead and got the ball right back on a Chris Perry fumble. On the next play, Derek Anderson hit Kellen Winslow down the middle for 20 yards to the 4-yard line. Anderson had struggled all game, and it was his best pass at the perfect time. He looked left for Braylon Edwards, then had the presence — and time — to turn back toward Winslow and deliver a low strike.
The Browns scored three plays later.
STAT OF THE GAME
40
Rushes by the Browns, including all seven plays on their first drive,
which ended with a field goal.
QUOTE OF THE GAME
“Anytime you go in the tank the way we have, you definitely want to fight back and get out of it. This is the beginning.” — Browns cornerback Eric Wright.
MATCHUPS
Offense
Coordinator Rob Chudzinski planned to run the ball and stuck with it throughout the game. Eight rushes to open the game set a physical tone and gave the team confidence.
Derek Anderson made a couple of big throws late, and Braylon Edwards made a great one-handed touchdown catch.
EDGE: Browns
Defense
The Browns allowed just 211 total yards, 69 rushing and 142 passing. But the key was the turnover battle, which they won 5-2.
Defensive backs Mike Adams, Eric Wright and Terry Cousin had interceptions, and linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Alex Hall forced fumbles.
EDGE: Browns
Special teams
Kicker Phil Dawson pinned the Bengals deep with a pooch punt out of a field-goal formation, and Joshua Cribbs gave the team a lift with a kickoff return to the Cincinnati 48-yard line to start the second half.
EDGE: Browns
Coaching
Neither performance was dazzling, as there were too many wasted timeouts and stupid penalties. But the Browns played hard for Romeo Crennel and quieted some of the criticism with their first win.
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski made a commitment to the run and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker made the right choice by blitzing an inexperienced Ryan Fitzpatrick.
EDGE: Browns
| |
|
Filed by Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram September 29th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 3% |
 Email this story
 Print this story
Read comments and discuss this story
Report an innappropriate comment
|
In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement
and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here. If you are registered, click here to log in.
Write a Comment