Browns 51 Bengals 45

The following are my thoughts on Sunday's thrilling win over Cincinnati:

1. Derek Anderson had a phenomenal game in his first start of the year. I thought it was the best single game performance by a Browns quarterback since Kelly Holcomb in the playoff game with Pittsburgh. The only difference he found a way to win the game. I don't mind that he takes chances when throwing the ball since he always seems to give his receiver a chance to make a play.


2. Outstanding game plan and play calling my Coach Chud. I criticized him last week for going away from the run, but today he managed to be very aggressive while never going away from the run. Finally it was nice to see an offensive coordinator not be predictable. The most predictable call he made was Vickers on the dive on 4th and 1. Romeo also deserves a lot of credit for keeping the team focus on the Bengals and not let the national media's opinion of this team be a distraction.


3. Kellen Winslow had a great game and I really feel like he is becoming a leader on offense. Braylon Edwards probably had the best game of his career on Sunday as well, but the big challenge for him will be stringing good performances on a week to week basis and becoming the complete #1 receiver everyone expected him to be when we picked him as the #2 pick.


4. Jamal Lewis had a vintage day and it was good to see him look like the Jamal Lewis of old. I think the game will do wonders for his confidence. Also, it should definitely be noted how well the offensive line played. I might be going out on a limb here but I think it is the best performance by a Cleveland Browns offensive line since the rebirth in 1999.


5. The defense did give up 45 points, but when we needed stops we did get them. The most disappointing part of the defense's performance was their poor tackling. Numerous times we had Rudy Johnson stopped behind the line and we missed tackles. Also distressing was the lack of pass rush again against Cincinnati.


6. The crowd was phenomenal and did us proud in pouring beer on Chad Johnson.

My game balls go to:

1. Derek Anderson


2. Offensive Line


3. Edwards, Jurevicius, Winslow


4. Jamal Lewis


5. Coach Chud

My goat horns go to:

1. Todd Grantham


2. Fans in the Dawg Pound hugging Chad Johnson


3. National Media Pundits who still refuse to give Browns any credit on win.