Browns Top Bengals 23 to 20-One Giant Step Forward

The Bengals were ripe for the taking and the Browns did just that, they took it to them by a TKOwens and Browns fans everywhere finally had something to celebrate. Despite the win, the Browns were dominated across the board in every category of offense by the Bengals except one. But if you can't put it across the goal line it means nothing. Seneca Wallace again still did not impress me with a 74.9 rating and the bright spot of the offense for the second straight week was Hillis.

It was imperative to keep the ball out of Palmer's hands near the waining minutes of the fourth quarter with the game close. Peyton Hillis was called upon to grind out the final four minutes and he did exactly that. In those minutes Hillis had a 24 yard scamper. Hillis had 102 yards and one touchdown for the day. Seneca Wallace had 184 yards and one touchdown with an interception thrown in for good measure. Phil Dawson scored 11 points and was perfect with three good field goals. I would say it was a good combined offensive effort after all is said and done.

The game ball however goes to the defense this week even though Owens continuously burned the secondary with 222 yards but amazingly only one score. They pretty much harassed Carson Palmer with seven QB hits and four sacks. That harassement resulted in two Palmer fumbles that went the Bowns way. The last one came at a crucial time and gave the ball to the Browns to finish out the game.

The Bengals have been floundering since the beginning of the season despite what should be a one-two punch in their receiving core, Owens and Ochocinco. Todays loss to Cleveland puts them at 2-2. The road ahead for the Browns is treacherous and slippery.
 
Pittsburgh was stunned by Baltimore and host Cleveland next. The Steelers no doubt will have fresh in mind the loss Cleveland handed them in their last meeting and this weeks stinging loss. It looks to be a punishing game. An opportunity presents itself for the Browns with Roethlisberger still out and contigent on whether they will be able to weather the Steelers defensive onslaught. After that they face the stumbling New Orleans Saints in the Superdome who barely survived Carolina. First, Cleveland will have to ground the Falcons this weekend. If the Browns prevail over the next three weeks, expectations will heighten and anything can be possible.