Cleveland Browns win first game despite valiant effort from Cincinnati Bengals’ Terrell Owens
Cincinnati’s Pro Bowler Terrell Owens had the kind of game that all receivers dream of having on Sunday. Ten receptions for 222 yards and one touchdown certainly doesn’t happen every game. But not even
Owens’ best game in recent memory wasn't enough to keep the Cleveland Browns winless in the 2010 regular season as they edged the Bengals 23-20 on Sunday, putting the Browns at 1-3 and the Bengals at .
There was definitely a sense of urgency for the Browns after starting the season 0-3. Losing their starting quarterback Jake Delhomme and being without a win was certainly not the plan.
"We didn't falter," said running-back Peyton Hillis, who rushed for over 100 yards in the victory. "The defence came up big and we grinded out the final four minutes. It proves we are improving, and it
was good to show our fans we could pull out a win and they could say, 'Hey, we actually got a team.'"
The much needed victory not only improves the Browns record, but it also serves as a reminder for this club that they can play and win against a formidable opponent.
“We've been playing closer and closer to the way I believe we can and had not gotten the result," said coach Eric Mangini of his team. "It's important to know it's something we know we can do on a consistent
basis."
Though the Browns had compiled a 23-10 lead by midway through the third, Bengals’ quarterback Carson Palmer was firing all night. Palmer efficiently picked apart the Cleveland’s secondary and threw for
371 yards with a pair of touchdown passes, and completed 69 per cent of his throws. One of Palmer's deep balls went to Owens, which culminated into a 78-yard touchdown strike. Chad Ochocinco also got into the mix hauling in a 42-yard pass from Palmer.
Running-back Brian Leonard cut the deficit to a field goal on a three-yard touchdown reception from Palmer in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for the Bengals, their comeback efforts ended there and they
were unable to take the lead.
"We're 2-2 and we lost to a team that's 0-3 and is better than their record," said Palmer, who went 25-of-36. "We have to find a way to dig deep. We have to move past this game because this one really
hurt. This one stings a lot."
The Bengals waited too long before exploiting the Browns suspect secondary and Cleveland’s Seneca Wallace, who made his third straight start, had excellent pass protection which allowed him to locate and
get the ball to the open receiver. He finished the game with 184 passing yards.
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