tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Browns Pull Out 17-16 Win

For almost 4 quarters, the Cleveland Browns offense was flat out terrible. Colt McCoy may have been having his worst game of his young professional career. With just over 3 minutes left in the game and his team down by 6, McCoy had to go 80 yards to give his team a victory. The way he had played up to that point, it semmed hardly possible. But given the opportunity with the game on the line, the kid quarterback came through.

14 passes and the Browns went 80 yards capped off by a 14 yard touchdown pass to Mohammad Massaquoi as McCoy had put his team in the lead with 43 seconds left to play. The drive should give Browns fans some hope, not only because the Browns came back to win the game but because of who were the vital contributors. Greg Little, Montario Hardesty, Massaquoi and McCoy: all youngsters who stepped up when the game was on the line.

While the offense came through at the end, it was the defense that saved the Browns all day. Without a doubt, this year's edition of the Browns D-line is the best one they have had since they came back in 1999. Rookies Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor continue to improve each week. It seemed like Sheard was in the Dolphin backfield all day and Taylor was a force up the middle. Jayme Mitchell and Ahytba Rubin teamed up with the 2 rookies to pressure Chad Henne all day long. Joe Haden took Brandon Marshall out of the game and TJ Ward dished out some tough hits.

But while the offense came through with a great final drive to give the Browns the lead, it was the defense that once again had to make a stand. After two penalties against the Browns after the Massaquoi touchdown, the Dolphins got the ball on the Cleveland 47 yard line. It seemed like once again Browns fans were going to suffer another heartbreaking defeat. But the defense stood tall again forcing 3 straight incomplete passes and ending the Dolphin chances on 4th down with a Mike Adams interception.

The win was big as the Browns improved to 2-1 and are tied with the Ravens and Steelers. Tennessee is up next and this will not be an easy game. The Titans usually play tough defense and Matt Hasselback has been playing well. Kenny Britt could be out which would be a positive for the Brownies. But one thing is clear, the offense needs to come to play in the 1st quarter. They have not played well in the opening frame in any of the 3 games this year. Hopefully, Peyton Hillis is back and Evan Moore and Josh Cribbs can play at 100%. Going 3-1 into the bye week would certainly be a confidence builder for this young team. If they can build on this win, the Brownies will give their fans reason to believe in a place called Believeland!!