{mosimage}It began in the manner anticipated by most in the stadium - balls thrown into the ground or no where near their target by the newest of the Browns' quarterback. Just days after the Browns were taken apart by the hated Steelers and had "fired" Charlie Fry, they sent Derek Anderson onto the field. After the first couple of series, he was facing boos from the crowd and calls for Brady Quinn. From there on the game became a Cedar Point ride. By the end both the fans and the team were exhausted by a game that had the ups, downs and surprise twists and turns of the best roller coaster. You could not leave your seat because another big play was sure to happen while you were gone.

The game statistics showed 11 touchdown passes and almost 1100 yards between the two teams. It was finally decided by dropped passes by Bengals receivers and the game ending interception by Leigh Bodden. And the big numbers by the offenses did not tell then entire offensive story since the returners for both teams gave great field postion throughout the game. Josh Cribbs gave the Bowns 183 yards on five returns and had a 97 yard return that was called back.

After the fumbled snap from center by last week's replacement punter, the Browns saw Dave Zastudil back. His last punt looked miserable off his foot but took the punter's bounce and ended up unreturned at the 10 yard line.

This week saw the line both protect the passer - no sacks of Anderson and open hole to allow for 226 rushing yards. Jamal Lewis had one of those games that the new look Browns are only used to seeing other teams' backs have. They gave time to Anderson to follow his progressions from his primary receiver to 2nd and 3rd receivers. One of those lead to an early touchdown in front of the Dawg Pound where he was to have thrown to Winslow on an out and hit Jurevious on a crossing pattern.

For at least one Sunday the fans and the Browns survived a potential game winning drive. No one took off their helmet during play, the tipped ball was caught by a Browns' receiver on his back instead of being intercepted and the dropped balls were by the opponent. Leigh Bodden had promised a celebration in his matchup with Chad Johnson. But it was Johnson with the big game with over 200 yards receiving. It was Johnson who had the celebration with his promised leap into the Dawg Pound. But finally it was Bodden who was too exhausted to do anything after his intereception to do anything but sit on the field and accept the congraduations from his team and the crowd.

Next will be the Raiders and something the Browns have not done for years - win back to back games.

Bengals vs. Browns Video

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Lloyds Apple said:

I'm stuck and Florida and with Brighthouse so I only saw the end (bonus coverage). The Bengals D is absolutely terrible. I heard a bunch of Browns fans, for this reason, calling for Quinn to start. If he started, I assume the Browns would have lost. Of course, if he won he would have been annointed a saint by now. Still, calling it the Derek Anderson Era is a bit far fetched. I don't see either team making the playoffs. This really sucks because Chad Johnson and the Bengals offense deserve better. The Browns, well, they might as well win games since they don't have a first rounder to worry about next year.

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September 18, 2007
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Judge said:

I certainly am not of the belief that Derek Anderson is the savior of the Browns and the next coming of Otto Graham or Dr. Frank Ryan. He was luckly on several plays that the catch was made and he blew some easy plays. After the first series the crowd was calling for Brady Quinn. This next week will not even tell us what is going on since Oakland is one of the few teams that the Browns have been able to beat in recent years. But perhaps this game will serve to give time to Quinn to learn the game and for the team to get better for him. We can also hope for the Browns to win a few games just to diminsh the value of the Cowboys' draft pick. I would agree that Chad Johnson is one of the major talents in the game. But I am old school in not appreciating the personal versus team achievements. It is as if it is all about Chad Johnson and not the quarterback who gets him the ball or the line that gives him the time to get open.

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September 18, 2007
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JEH45 said:

	Must of been a hell of a game.
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September 18, 2007
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