One Browns source calls Bengals game a Hoyer “referendum”
November 6, 2014No football Sundays, Taylor Swift vs. Spotify… While We’re Waiting
November 7, 2014The Cleveland Browns beat the Cincinnati Bengals in convincing fashion, on the road, as an underdog and in their division. The Cleveland Browns are 6-3. They are three games over .500 and have won four of the last five. The Browns won the game, 24-3, and did so from wire to wire, starting as fast as any game I can remember.
And what a way to start the game. Craig Robertson intercepted Andy Dalton on the fifth play and returned it deep into Cincinnati territory. With just over four minutes off the first quarter clock, Ben Tate was barreling into the end zone for the Browns to give them an early 7-0 lead. They did it off of a turnover early in the game. That’s the way to set the tone. That tone was also set by Andy Dalton.
The Browns made Dalton miserable. Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard, Desmond Bryant and the newly healthy Phil Taylor were in his face all game long. Robertson’s interception wasn’t the only one as Buster Skrine hauled in two of his own. Joe Haden could have had one and Tashaun Gipson could have had at least one as well. Obviously close doesn’t count for much, but it culminated in one bad stat line for the Bengals and their quarterback Andy Dalton.
This was Andy Dalton’s stat line as the Browns were trying to wind the clock down with about five minutes left to go in the game. I mean, I could have waited for the final whistle, but what’s the point? Jason Campbell did end up finishing the game in Dalton’s place.
Dalton was absolutely miserable and the Browns deserved tons of the credit for it.
The Browns weren’t perfect and I could definitely nitpick a few things. The Browns did get conservative at the end of the first half again, but this time they already had a 17-3 lead. Again, the Browns were going to get the ball back first to start the second like the previous game. This time, the game just felt different. The Browns seemed in control and had a 14 point lead. That seemed to justify it more.
But what a weird set of coaching decisions we seem to be seeing. I might have been on to something when I said the Browns were playing possum the past three weeks. Back were the receivers running through the backfield to set up the reverse or end-around should the Browns need it. They didn’t need it, but they were back setting it up. Back too was Isaiah Crowell after a substantial absence. And it wasn’t garbage time.
Crowell scored the second touchdown of the game to put the Browns up 14-3. So weird. Crowell goes from having one carry against Oakland, zero carries against Tampa and then more than ten including key red zone carries early on in Cincinnati? Makes very little sense. Coach Mike Pettine and his staff can hide behind practice performance all they want, but they can’t escape the shadow of weirdness.
And what could be weirder than Ian Rapoport’s report that this was supposed to be some kind of referendum game for Brian Hoyer? Well, whomever was responsible for that, it either worked as motivation or it was utter garbage to begin with. Brian Hoyer didn’t set the world on fire, but he’s never going to. Brian Hoyer is going to play within himself and within the gameplan, and that’s what he did perfectly tonight for the Browns.
And the Browns are more than just “good enough.” They’re not perfect. They’ve got injuries and struggles and seem to play too much to their competition, but they’re 6-3. Say that to yourself. 6-3. Cleveland Browns. This year. Right now.
This rules.
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Just because noone else has typed it up explicitly yet:
AFC North Standings
1st place Browns 6-3 (2-2 in division, 4-3 in AFC, +18 against Pitt)
Pittsburgh 6-3 (2-2 in division, 5-2 in AFC, -18 against Cle)
Cincinnati 5-3-1 (2-1 in division, 4-3 in AFC)
Baltimore 5-4 (2-3 in division, 2-4 in AFC)
Oh, MKC, I’m “excited” for your juicy insights this week.
They said this morning that Pittsburgh has the tie-breaker, though (comparing common opponents). Is that right?
Just wanted to note that with Dalton getting benched (likely temporarily but you never know), it is possible that all of the following would have happened at some point this season:
Colt McCoy starting for Washington
Brandon Weeden starting for Dallas
Derek Anderson starting for Carolina
Jason Campbell starting for Cincinnati (last domino to fall)
I don’t consider that to matter because I hate the “if the season ended today” stuff when the season doesn’t end today.
But, technically, yes, if the season ended today, it would go to the AFC record since we split and our division record is the same.
I’ll have what you’re having.
“pillar-to-post” and “pedantic” and I’m all aflutter.
This cannot be overstated. He is the cog around which this machine is turning.
Isn’t Pitt’s 5-2 better than our 4-3?
Shhh.
Agree. In fairness, stocking the roster with guys who could mash toe to toe in this division started a few years ago but it’s starting to pay dividends. Sheard, Kruger, Bitonio. both Bryants, Phil Taylor … the pick of skinny Mingo was the outlier and he can’t take on guys head on.
Yes, as explained to Garry above, I don’t care about the “if the season ended today” part of it. We both have games left in the AFC and in division, so that story isn’t over yet.
As far as I am concerned, we are tied for 1st, which makes it possible for me to just say 1st place Cleveland Browns and that’s all I truly care about on this particular Friday 🙂
Really wanted to see Whitner light him up…………….
Rudy.
I was hoping the same exact thing, would have been the best possible way to finish the game!
I don’t think a four year old has any concept of what it means for the whole stadium to “support” her. I guess it may have been meaningful or moving to her parents.
My bad. The way you posted it (or the way I read it) seemed to show the Browns in sole possession of 1st. The Browns in first in week 10 is INCREDIBLE!!!
One of the all-time observations, mi amigo.
I write for a living and hence have all sorts of neat-o words and phrases at my disposal!
“Neat-o” !!! STOP IT!
definitely the way I posted it and it was intentional. cannot help myself today 🙂
Want to, can’t. Still giddy over yesterday.
but, a 4yo does think it’s pretty cool to get to take pictures with the cheerleaders, meet Lauren Hill (apparently her favorite singer), and walk out in front of 80,000 people to receive a $1.3mil check to help kids like her.
no, she probably doesn’t get how “big” some of those things are. she’s 4yo. but, she sure looked happy and that’s enough for me.
Phil Taylor means a LOT to this defense, especially the rushing defense. Happy to see him healthy and making plays. He had 3 tackles and a pass deflection but he clogged the line, embraced the double-team, and opened up the lanes for a spectacular Karlos Dansby.
Also, it’s amazing what makes players better. A scheme change (gone are the 2-deep vanilla looks that brought DQ to the line, forcing Robertson to cover a slot receiver), the drafting of a rookie to take your spot, and a new secondary have all helped Craig Robertson become better than the league-worst LB he was last season. Add in the fact that Kruger and Sheard are getting pressure this season, and you can see why Robertson has improved.
I think Robertson was left on an island last year, and he may have tried to do too much, thus getting burned all the time. Oneil seems to have pared down his responsibilities this season.
Hoyer still can’t throw the long ball so I am tempering my expectations.
He underthrew Benjamin yesterday (2nd quarter?) by 10 yards on a certain touchdown. He did that double-pat thing he always does to the ball before throwing deep. If he gets rid of that he makes the throw earlier, and it’s a TD.
But when you get an all-pro WR back it will certainly help the team. I just warn against going to sleep hoping to dream of dancing 75-yard TD fairies in your head.
BTW – Browns were missing THREE pro-bowlers, their leading receiver, and a formerly fantastic D-lineman (Bryant), yet still handled the kittens convincingly.
however, it is about time an organization made a substantial contribution. I am so sick of all of those $10,000 donations from the Dallas Cowboys. The team is worth BILLIONS. The owners make BILLIONS. Players make MILLIONS. And all you can do is donate 45-minutes worth of beer sales?
I know Cincy sold jerseys to make most of that money, but it was nice to see such a large sum for such a good cause. I hope this galvanizes these richest-of-the-rich to contribute more.
haha. Am I the only one who thinks that’s the dumbest movie of all time? I don’t get it – the kid can’t get into the game because he doesn’t have a ticket. BUT HE LIVES IN THE FREAKING STADIUM!!! If you wanted to go to the game either (a) stay in the stadium on saturday morning until the game starts, or (b) call one of the people who know that you live there to get you in.
Dumb movie.
That actually works. My freshman year in college I lived in the Convocation Center at Ohio University (It’s a dorm, too.) I can’t remember the intricacies of it, but we’d do exactly that for basketball games, essentially sneaking in the arena without going through the ticket gates. OU won the NIT that year, too.
Phil Taylor went down in the 4th quarter and I didn’t see him return. Is there any word on if he reinjured himself?
Great win!
Gordon’s value isn’t limited to 75-yard TDs. Hoyer, while he struggles with the long ball, still throws it….so the threat is there, and the threat was the point of my comment. Plus, the long ball in theory would be more effective with a “Gordon-type” receiver going up to get it – even if it was under-thrown….in fact many times under-throwing the deep ball is good strategy to a WR like Gordon.
Plus, Hoyer’s pass to Benjamin that you point out was into a stiff wind….not saying he is great at the long ball, but on that one example we need to take that into account too.
Dalton looked a lot like Derek Anderson did on a windy Cincinnati afternoon 7 years ago. i thought Hoyer would replicate that feat in these conditions. When the running game is going, Hoyer is nearly unbeatable and a lot is due to Shanahan’s offense. Best playcalling since the ’80s. I wonder where Manziel would stand now if he had started since game 1. Bayless says he would be 8-1 or 7-2.
Cleveland has finally been renamed 1st Place
“He did that double-pat thing he always does to the ball before throwing deep. If he gets rid of that he makes the throw earlier, and it’s a TD.”
This is my nit to pick with Hoyer as well. I’m sure Shanahan is bringing it to his attention and working on a fix. I have high hopes.
Agreed but that damn double tap has been there all season. Would like to see him clean that up; he makes that throw half a tick sooner and we aren’t having this conversation (aside from the wind component).
During the game his returned was listed as probable. I don’t know if he ever did return. Pettine’s presser is at 4 today I believe. I’m sure he will address it then if it isn’t already listed somewhere else that I can’t find.
While we’re all excited for the play of Hoyer, deservedly so, Shanahan’s role is kind of being downplayed. I don’t know how well JM would have performed as a rookie but if Kyle is around for his first year under center I’ll bet it goes a lot better than if he isn’t. It’ll be interesting to see how this whole dynamic plays out over the off season with who stays and who goes.
ok, thanks. yeah, not listed anywhere that I saw yet.
Correction 1 play, 8 yards 15 yard penalty. = -7 yards
don’t forget that he stopped on a route that gifted Skrine and interception
The gift that keeps on giving (e.g., paying).
Couldn’t agree more. The story line was completely set for him to come in and struggle. Guess he had other plans…
Imagine if the Browns make the playoffs and draw the Broncos. Get your “Pandemonium Palace” videos cued up…
I want Pittsburgh in the wild card round. Every part of me wants to break this year’s stupid series tie and revenge the Holcomb game.
Then, we can go and exorcise those Denver demons.
and, again, can’t underrate the chance for Manziel to learn the offense, slowly, and bit by bit. It has to be a severe shock to the brain to try and devour the whole thing so quickly.