Cleveland Browns: Bruising Cleveland RB Peyton Hillis Runs and Passes in Win

The Cleveland Browns could easily have the upset special of the week in Week 7 of the 2010 NFL regular season by beating the reigning Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints 30-17.

Led once again by rookie quarterback Colt McCoy, in only his second career start, the Browns were also riding the shoulders of their bruising running back Peyton Hillis.

Hillis' presence on the Browns this year has been as a dark horse, to being the featured running back in the preseason, but after running hard week in and week out during the season, he is one of the toughest backs in the entire NFL.

And he is the featured back without a doubt.

Bursting onto the scene in Week 3 against a top-tier Ravens run defense with 144 yards on the ground for an astounding 6.5 yards per carry and a touchdown on top of that.

Against the Saints, Hillis was running hard again and even though he did not top the century mark, he still amassed 69 yards for a 4.3 average and a touchdown.

Hillis also threw a 13-yard pass to quarterback McCoy on a crafty gimmick play.

On an offense that really lacks true playmakers, having Hillis on board is keeping the Browns balanced while McCoy, Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme have all tried to jump start a struggling passing game at times this season.

Hillis will be a force for many years in Cleveland and when rookie running back Montario Hardesty is healthy next season, this duo will make a deadly combo.

After seven games, Hillis has 460 yards for an average of 4.4 yards per carry, five touchdowns, 27 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown in the air.

If he keeps up this pace, Hillis could end the season with over 1,050 yards on the ground.

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(Also posted on Dawg Scooper: THE Cleveland Browns Blog)