Nov
30
Written by:
LarryMac
11/30/2009 11:50 AM
The Browns looked every bit the team that is simply playing out the string as Cincinnati, behind Larry Johnson ran up and down the field against them all game long. Johnson, who was signed as an insurance policy after the Chiefs released him two weeks ago topped 100 yards on 22 carries as the Bengals ground out 210 yards on the ground.
The Browns played enough defense to keep the team in it early, holding the Bengals to a 3-0 advantage until Carson Palmer found J.P. Foschi for a 4 yard touchdown with 1:10 in the half. The Browns ran three meaningless plays on the ensuing possession, giving the Bengals another crack at some first half points. After a key sack forced Palmer into a desperation play to end the second quarter, the Browns shot themselves in the foot for the second straight game with a defensive penalty as time expired that allowed Shayne Graham an untimed play in which to tie his career-long 53 yard field goal, staking Cincinnati to a 13-0 lead.
The Browns turned to trickery to break into the end zone in the second half, capitalizing on good field position. Josh Cribbs took the direct snap and passed to Brady Quinn for an 18 yard gain to key a 55 yard drive that was capped by a 9 yard dash by Quinn. That would be it for the Browns as Cincinnati continued to grind down the clock, adding another field goal and keeping the Browns from putting together another drive of longer than 27 yards.
The Good: The Browns secondary was never burned for a play longer than a 19 yard pass to Laveraneus Coles and "held" Palmer to 110 passing yards - the fourth lowest total of his career. Cincinnati, though, seemed to come in intent on running the ball anyway - Palmer attempted only 24 passes.
The Bad: After their worst performance of the season last week against the Lions, the Browns defense just looked apathetic in this game as the Bengals became the third team this season to rush for over 200 yards against them.
The Ugly: 169 total yards of offense marked the lowest total given up by the Bengals defense in 26 years.
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