Cleveland---9/7/2003   In a game that can be described as "The One No One Expected" neither the Browns nor the Indianapolis Colts high powered and highly touted offenses were able to put a TD on the scoreboard in a 9-6 Colts victory in front of 73,358 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Twice the Browns had the ball inside the Indianapolis 1 yard line and could not punch it in as the Colts defense stiffened. There were, however, no play action, no fakes, virtually nothing from an offensive standpoint that would take the Colts out of their goaline stance. Still, if you can't score a TD from inside the 1 yard line you don't deserve to win. Butch Davis agrees. "You can't have first down that close on two occasions and only come away with 6 points. In this league teams win in the Red Zone. Its a clearcut deal. When you get in the red zone you've got to score."

Photo by John Reid III

Overall, the Browns defense played well, but gave up repeated long completions by Peyton Manning (13, 11, 15. and 8 yds.) to keep the Colts moving and turning potiential drive killers into first downs with new life. One of these long completions, a 15 yarder to Reggie Wayne allowed the Colts to get close enough for Mike Vanderjagt to kick a 45 yd. field goal with just six seconds left on the clock to win it for Indy.

The oft critisized Browns linebacking corps played stellar game as a unit corraling 2 Peyton Manning throws for interceptions, one each for Kevin Bentley and Ben Taylor. Bentley's one handed grab at the Browns goaline saved a sure TD. Bentley was able to rumble and stumble for 25 yds. Davis was impressed with the young LB's stating, "I've been telling people for 6 months that these guys aren't going to be the weak link of this team. They're athletic, they're smart, they're instinctive, these guys aren't going to do anything but get better. The more reps they get, the more savvy, the more game-tested that they get, the better they are going to be." "The Colts threw alot of different stuff at them, they did everything they could do to confuse these guys and they held up well."

Photo by John Reid III

Sound the alarm, we have a Coutney Brown sack sighting! It's true, "The Quiet Storm" had an actual sack of Peyton Manning, and we have photographic evidence to prove it! Browns sack was the only one of the day for either team.

Photo by John Reid III

Next up, the Ravens at Baltimore in owner Art Modell's last chance to see his old team play his new one. You can imagine that the Baltimore media and team will tout that fact heavily this week, so the Browns must learn how to get 6 inches this week and score TD's instead of field goals. The Ravens were dismantled at Pittsburgh yesterday 34-15.

Cleveland is now 0-5 on opening day since returning to the NFL in 1999.