Browns Update

Lance A. Gentile

It was another close game, coming right down to the wire. It almost seems as if the Browns just don't want to win any of these games. Game after game, the offense gives the defense a lead, and the defense tries to give it away in the fourth quarter.

The Browns built up an 8 to nothing lead when Buffalo got the ball on the 30 yard line with 1:51 left to go in the fourth quarter. The Bills were able to drive all the way to the Browns 10 yard line, but turned it over on downs when the Browns defense played a bend but don't break style.

The Browns got great games out of Jamal Lewis, Braylon Edwards, and Phil Dawson who kicked some amazing field goals. Dawson kicked 49 and 35 yard field goals, which normally would be unspectacular, but in a blizzard, there were some of the best plays of the game. Cleveland also scored a safety when the snap to Bills punter Brian Moorman went over his head and Moorman booted the ball out for a safety instead of give up a potential touchdown. Jamal Lewis had 33 carries for 163 yards. He got better and better as the game went on and ate a lot of clock which really helped the defense out, who pitched a shutout. Opponents had scored at least 18 in every game before this, but the weather, along with Jamal's physical running, gave the defense a helping hand today.

Early in the game before Jamal toke over Braylon Edwards was dominating the secondary, jumping up and making circus like catches at will. If Braylon does not go to the Pro Bowl this year, something is seriously wrong. He has already posted career numbers in receptions (69), receiving yards (1170), and receiving touchdowns (13), and he still has a couple games to improve on those numbers.

As far as the playoffs go, Tennessee beat The Chiefs, so nothing is for certain, but the Browns are in the driver's seat for the 6th seed, and are actually tied with the Steelers for the Division Title. However, because the Steelers swept us in head-to-head play, the Browns need to win 1 more game than the Steelers to actually win the Title. Both the Steelers and Browns have weak schedules going forward, so it will be interesting to see the race for the Title plays out. The most encouraging thing is that the defense is finally starting to catch up to the offense ability, which will be huge in the post season.