Browns 27 - Bengals 7
In week 4 the Browns lost a tough contest to undefeated Bengals. Cleveland had the week 5 bye to think long and hard about the loss. Crazy enough, the Browns would be facing the Bengals once more in week 6. This game had a different ending that surely put smiles on the faces of those at dog pound.
1st Quarter:
On the Bengals opening drive, they marched all the way down field and simply could not be stopped by the Browns defense. Andy Dalton connected with Wes Welker (13 yard TD) to conclude an 80 yard drive.
2nd Quarter
On Cleveland's first drive of the game, the Browns needed to score to keep pace with the surging Bengals. Peyton Manning orchestrated a drive down field that resulted in Jacob Tamme scoring on a 1 yard TD pass. On the ensuing Bengals drive, Bengals TE Gresham pulled down a 20 yard+ catch in the open field but was absolutley rocked by starting safety Mike Mitchell and fumbled the ball while the Browns recovered. The Browns responded by scoring on a 3 yard TD run by Trent Richardson to take the 14-7 lead. With the Browns up by 7 late in the 2nd quarter and going to get the ball back to start the second half, the Bengals were going to have to be aggressive in their play calling. Just before the two minute warning, Dalton let loose a pass up the middle intended for his TE which was picked by S TJ Ward. The Browns once again had the ball and responded with another TD, this time from Manning to sophmore WR Baltimore for the 22 yard score.
Baltimore has had to step up the last few games due the absence of injured star WR Trent Platt. The score was now 21-7 Bronws to close out the half.
3rd Quarter
A very uneventful quarter that was highlighted by a few QB sacks on Andy Dalton and an interception thrown by Peyton Manning by Leon Hall. No team was able to score in the third quarter.
4th Quarter
The Bengals attempted a comeback in the 4th quarter but were stopped just enough by the Browns on the heels of DE Jabaal Sheard's 2nd sack of the game. The Bengals nearly completed a beautiful 3rd and 27 conversion but were just one yard short on a 26 yard pass to AJ Green forcing the Bengals to punt. With just over 2:40 left to play in the 4th, Richardson converted a 3rd down TD run on the 1 yard line to put the Browns up 27-7 (extra point was blocked by Bengals). Finally the game concluded with a INT for S Lefged to seal the Browns win.
The Browns are now 4-1 on the season and tied for the division lead with the Steelers and Bengals. Cleveland has now matched their win total from last season in the teams first 5 games. Once again the Browns manged to come away with a victory due to a balanced attacked by the running and passing attack. The Running game had 74 yards on the ground which was not that much but Richardson converted some tough 3rd downs when needed.
Stats of the game:
Offense
CLE QB Peyton Manning - 13/17, 173 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT,
CIN QB Andy Dalton - 11-16, 168 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 3 Sacks
CLE RB Trent Richardson - 19 carries, 65 yards, 2 TD's
CIN RB Beanie Wells - 3 carries, 5 yards
CLE TE Jacob Tamme - 7 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD
CLE WR D'Antwone Baltimore - 4 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD
CIN WR AJ Green - 4 receptions, 53 yards
CIN TE Jermaine Gresham - 4 receptions, 85 yards
Defense
CLE DE Jabaal Sheard, 3 Tackles, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks
CLE S Mike Mitchell, 2 Tackles, 1 FF
CIN ROLB Thomas Howard, 7 Tackles, 1 TFL
CIN LOLB Manny Lawson, 5 Tackles, 1 TFL