Cleveland easily dismantled the Patriots
Category: NFL Published on Monday, 08 November 2010 09:02 Written by Janó Hits: 127
The Browns used some gadget plays in their upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Saints. There was nothing fake about what happened Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium, other than the four-point spread that favored the Patriots.
This was one of the most impressive victories the Browns have had since their return to the NFL in 1999.
They kept Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in check while playing a dominating offensive style that eventually wore down New England's defense.
Browns coach Eric Mangini had every reason to gloat after defeating his former mentor and not-so-close friend Bill Belichick.
If Mangini needed talking points to show management that his plan is working, back-to-back wins over the Saints and Patriots should do the trick.
"It feels great," Mangini said of the win over the team he once worked for and looking ahead to a game next Sunday against the New York Jets, a team he coached for three seasons. "It feels like that movie 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.' New England this week and the Jets next week. It's special to me because of our guys. Not because of their team but because of our team. To work hard and see them rewarded with victories is special."
Words were spoken in the locker room after the game that hadn't been heard for a long time. It centered on the theme "Cleveland Browns football." Prior to the last two games that didn't impress anyone. That's no longer the case.
"This is Browns' football," safety Abram Elam said. "We were able to run the football and play physical and not give up big plays. This is a game we just went out and won. We targeted it throughout the week. It was a challenge going against the top team in the NFL, and we did a good job."
The Patriots entered play as the only one-loss team in the NFL at 6-1. The Browns improved their record to 3-5.
Among many things that stood out was the Browns' ability to control the ball on the ground after opening a 27-7 lead in the second half. The Patriots knew that the Browns weren't going to put the ball into the air much with rookie quarterback Colt McCoy on the field. Still, the offense managed 230 yards on the ground, including 184 and two touchdowns by Peyton Hillis.
Hillis benefitted from outstanding blocking by the offensive line. He was able to turn the right corner untouched on a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that sealed the win.
"Going back to the last four or five games of last season, we know as an offensive line that we can run the ball," tackle Joe Thomas said. "With Peyton what we get is a guy who's going to run perfect footwork and he's going to run hard and run over people.
"To be able to give him just a little crack, we know he's going to be able to run guys over and get 4 yards minimum. If a running back can get 4 yards every time you can keep feeding him. As the defense wears down he gets stronger. We knew we had to run. They knew we had to run the ball. To still be able to run the ball was a big message."
Hillis returned the praise to the line.
"I couldn't have done it without them," Hillis said. "I have to give thanks to the guys up front for making it all happen."
McCoy didn't do anything to hurt his cause by standing toe-to-toe with Brady. Brady was 19 of 36 for 22 yards, while McCoy was 14 of 19 for 174 yards.
As was the case when the Browns opened a big lead over the Saints, McCoy wasn't asked to shoulder the burden of the offense. He was efficient in what was asked of him.
"I missed a couple of balls early, but I felt really confident," McCoy said. "What I try to hang my hat on is we're going into a game prepared. It's up to us the way we executed. I thought the receivers played great."
Browns kicker Phil Dawson made a 38-yard field goal on the first drive of the game. Sammy Morris mishandled the ensuing kick, and Ray Ventrone recovered for the Browns at the New England 19. Hillis ran 2 yards for a touchdown two plays later.
The Patriots scored on a 2-yard pass from Brady to tight end Aaron Hernandez. The Browns then pulled a play out of the back of the playbook when Joshua Cribbs took a snap under center and handed off to receiver Chansi Stuckey, who was lined up behind right guard Billy Yates in what looked like a "fumblerooskie" play. Stuckey ran around the left side and dove into the end zone on an 11-yard touchdown run to give the Browns a 17-7 halftime lead.
McCoy scrambled 16 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, diving into the end zone while reaching out to make sure the ball crossed the goal line. Dawson kicked a 37-yard field goal to extend the Browns' lead to 27-7.
Brady moved the Patriots closer with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Hernandez. The Browns then drove 60 yards on six plays (all runs by Hillis) to score the clinching touchdown.
The Browns can now look ahead to the Jets. No one is getting overconfident in the locker room.
"We're just going to be humble about it," linebacker David Bowens said. "We understand that we have to go back to the drawing board."
| Week 9 |
| Oakland Raiders–Kansas City Chiefs 23–20 – e. t. |
| Philadelphia Eagles–Indianapolis Colts 26–24 |
| Seattle Seahawks–New York Giants 7–41 |
| Atlanta Falcons–Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27–21 |
| Baltimore Ravens–Miami Dolphins 26–10 |
| Buffalo Bills–Chicago Bears 19–22 |
| Carolina Panthers–New Orleans Saints 3–34 |
| Cleveland Browns–New England Patriots 34–14 |
| Detroit Lions–New York Jets 20–23 – e. t. |
| Houston Texans–San Diego Chargers 23–29 |
| Minnesota Vikings–Arizona Cardinals 27–24 – e. t. |
| Green Bay Packers–Dallas Cowboys 45–7 |