Browns Tame Bengals, Sweep Season Series

Mark Riley

Early in the week, Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson "guaranteed" a Bengals victory over the Browns, and, after his 72yd touchdown pass from Jon Kitna on the first drive of the game, it appeared as if his promise would come true. However, the Browns stormed back and defeated the "Kitties" at Paul Brown Stadium and swept the season series from Cincinnati for the first time since 1995, 27-20.

Native Clevelander and Ohio State grad, Darnell Sanders, caught the very first TD of his pro career just 4:10 into the game following the early Bengals TD. The 14 yd. pass from Couch was set up perfectly as the Browns came out in an "obvious" running formation and then froze the linebackers in the middle of the field allowing Sanders to grab the strike from Couch. After the game, Couch noted, "He (Sanders) played well. We wanted to give them a run formation and get the tight end down the middle, Darnell just went out and caught it. We're expecting big things out of him in the future".

The Browns enjoyed a stellar 140 yd. rushing day which, combined with a fine passing attack from Couch that saw him hit 9 different receivers and go 22 of 35 for 242yds. and 3 touchdowns gave the Browns a balanced attack they have sorely needed all season. The Browns were able to sustain long drives all day, which against the Bengals, is the best way to keep Corey Dillion off the field. Dillion was effective as usual, but the Browns were able to stop him when it counted most, stopping him literally inches from a TD with the Browns hanging on to a 27-20 lead with only minutes left in the game. After a muffed punt by the Bengals was recovered by Tight End Steve Heiden, the Browns managed to hold on for the win.

 Perhaps the most amazing part of the game, was the breakout performance of rookie William Green. Green carried the ball 25 times for 96yds., including a authoritative stiff arm of a defender to get five more yds on a 13 yd. run that started off tackle and ended with Green sweeping the right side of the Browns offensive line and running like the draft pick the Browns were expecting by taking him with the 16th pick. Coach Butch Davis also was very impressed with Greens running, saying,"I thought William ran with a lot of authority. He was decisive with his cuts and blitz pickups". Commenting on Green retiring to the sidelines a couple of times during the first half to get sick, Davis said he believed it was just "nervousness" on Greens part since he knew that he'd be carrying the bulk of the load running for the entire game.

Next, the Browns travel to New Orleans for a battle with the Saints. The Saints boast a high scoring offense and a tenacious defense, which should be a good test for this developing Browns team.

The division race is again tightened up, by virtue of the fact that the Steelers soundly thrashed by the Tennessee Titans 31-23 and the Ravens being crushed by the Miami Dolphins 26-7. This means the Browns are within 1/2 game of the Steelers for the division lead, and while the Steelers hold virtually all the tie breakers for the playoffs, the Browns can control their own destiny by continuing to win. Sundays balanced win against the Bengals is a great start.