Browns Need OT To Extend Losing Streak

The Cleveland Browns played their best game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals, losing  23-20 in overtime. The Bengals, now 3-1, are a much improved team over last year. I'm sure they are very happy to leave Cleveland with a win. As for the Browns, it's another loss, 10 in a row and counting.

Defensively, Cleveland played  well enough  to stretch out this game through almost five quarters before Cincinnati kicked the winning 31 yard field goal with just seven seconds left in over time. I saw a lot of improvement on defense but more pressure on the QB is badly needed. Still it's a step in the right direction for once this year. Individually Shaun Rogers had a good game, as did D'Qwell Jackson. Rogers had two huge blocks of a field goal and a PAT. Brodney Pool had his best game of the season as well.

Offensively, they managed to move the ball and put points on the board but could not step up at crunch time. Derek Anderson was an improvement over Brady Quinn but in the end it was the same old DA. He threw a huge interception in the end zone and couldn't move the team in the over time. Jerome Harrison rushed for 121 yards but had a costly fumble that led to a Bengals touchdown. Rookie Mohamed Massaquoi looked outstanding with 8 catches for 148 yards. Josh Cribbs had 223 return yards, giving the Browns excellent field position on several occasions. Why Cleveland cannot get the ball in his hands more on offense, I don't know. Maybe as a 3rd down back?

I know a lot of fans look at the way Cleveland played today as a moral victory, but I look at it as just another tough loss. 0-4 is still 0-4.

Article originally posted on http://www.nfltouchdown.com/