Wow. Another great win for the Cleveland Browns! This makes three in a row. The Browns now have five wins on the season.

The game started out a bit rough; the Kansas City Chiefs got a touchdown on the first play from Jamaal Charles.

What bothered me the most about this play? The announcers.

This is football not baseball, but I think the announcers were confused because they said, “They [Chiefs] made a home run on the first pitch.” Later they also said “Jamaal Charles jumped out to the Browns as a home run hitter.”

Ok, back to football. A tale of two former Browns players also happened during the game. First you have Brady Quinn who was starting for the second week in a row for the Chiefs. He was met with apathy, because the Browns traded him, and in my opinion didn’t really give him a chance, but they don’t pay me so my opinion doesn’t matter. Then there was Peyton Hillis. Every time Hillis was on the field and especially when he touched the ball, he was booed by what sounded like everyone from the stadium west to Lakewood and east to University Circle.

In a lot of the games this past week, I saw a lot of missed pass interference calls, and so did the announcers. One friend commented to me, “Maybe they’re giving us a flashback to what the replacement refs were so we continue to appreciate them.” There was also a penalty on a Browns player that didn’t exist. Awkward, especially since they were trying to call it on Greg Little, who’s #15 and they called #46. Those numbers look nothing alike. Also, there were three separate penalties with nine minutes left in the third quarter. They took two touchdowns from Trent Richardson off the board for pass interference calls that the announcers (and me) never saw.

It occurred to me during the forth quarter that the Browns were winning, and by a pretty large margin. Then I made a brilliant observation, especially one that hasn’t happened in a while in Cleveland; the Browns were playing like a real NFL team. Then, as if that wasn’t enough for my Grinch heart to grow three sizes, there was a Colt McCoy sighting.  Brandon Weeden did a pretty good job all day. He was consistent and was 17/30 in passing and threw for 217 yards, but no touchdowns.

Fun random fact: Phil Dawson kicked three field goals during the game. Those field goals entered him into an elite group, the 300 FG Club. He’s made 300 field goals in his career, and now the 25th member to this elite group of kickers. Alright Phil! Also, Trent Richardson has nine rushing touchdowns on the season, tied with Jim Brown for total rushing TDs in one season, and it’s only Week 14. Equally as awesome!

Moral of the story: BROWNS WIN with a score of 30-7 and are now 5-9 on the season. Next up, the Redskins. With Robert Griffin III questionable after injuring his knee at the end of his game on Sunday. This should be interesting for sure.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Cleveland Browns are on a winning streak!!

Yes you read that right. WINNING.

The Browns went in and beat up on the Raiders in California and come home with a 20-17 win.

It wasn’t always pretty, no NFL game is, but we came out on top and that’s all that matters, right? Wrong. What matters is how we did it. After the first quarter, the game was still scoreless. Early in the second quarter Phil Dawson hit a 41-yard field goal. The Browns forced a quick 3 and out and Josh Gordon catches a 44 yard touchdown from rookie Quarterback Brandon Weeden.

Kicker Sebastian Janikowski hit a 51 yard field goal near the end of the first half, but had a chance for another field goal (61-yards) but it was wide right at the end of the first half, keeping the score 10-3.

The Browns come out for the second half firing on all cylinders, but were held for a field goal, while the Raiders got a 64-yard touchdown. “Automatic” Phil Dawsons’ career high field goal record was stopped at 29 when he had a field goal blocked during the third quarter. At the end of the third quarter the score was 13-10 in favor of the Browns.

The forth quarter was a lot of back and forth until Trent Richardson put the Browns up 20-10 with a 3-yard TD run. The Raiders had a small chance to tie it up, when they got the ball back with over 3 minutes to play, but had no timeouts left. They managed a touchdown with 0:01 left on the clock. After a failed attempt at an onside kick, the game was over and the final score was 20-17.

The Browns played well on both sides of the ball; the defense had a key interception that turned into a Browns touchdown few plays later, and Weeden threw for 364 yards, which is a career high. They also had solid play from TE Jordan Cameron, CB Sheldon Brown (with the key interception), S Eric Hagg and DB Buster Skrine Next week the Browns take on the 2-10 Chiefs at home.

This week the Browns head to Dallas to play “America’s Team” Sunday, but here in Cleveland we’re a bit worried.

Both CB Joe Haden (oblique) and CB Dimitri Patterson (ankle) were held out of practice on Thrusday. Haden is a game time decision, but Patterson has been ruled out for Sunday as well as S Ray Ventrone. DT Ahtyba Rubin (calf) is also listed as questionable. The injury report is rather worry-some because a lot of defensive players appear on the list. Mind you, not all of them will sit the bench, but if enough of them do or aggravate their injuries during the game, we’re in for a very long game.

On the Cowboys side of the ball, RB DeMarco Murray is listed as doubtful with a foot injury, which could be good news for the possibly weakened Browns defense. The Browns had a week of rest and relaxation before getting back onto the practice field, while the Cowboys are coming off a nice 38-23 win against the battered Philadelphia Eagles.

What the Browns need to do this week is get the ball into the hands of RB Trent Richardson. Also, hopefully a week of rest helped WR Greg Little relax and be able to step up and make the plays when his number is called. If both Little and Richardson can get on the same page with QB Brandon Weeden, this could be a very good game.

As most Browns fans seem to be around this time of the season, I’ve been hearing snarky remarks from my friends, and among my football pool friends it’s been the most entertaining.

Friend #1: “The one week the Browns are guaranteed not to lose.”

Friend #2: “I think I’ll take the Bye Week over the Browns this week, but it’ll be close.”

Clearly the confidence from the Week 8 win is all but lost, maybe. Perhaps my friends are a bit too hasty to lost their positive thoughts about the possibility of the Browns heading into the “second half” of their season on a high note. Last weeks game against the Ravens wasn’t atrocious. The Browns managed to score into the double digits, Brandon Weeded did some nice things, Trent Richardson did some excellent running, Phil Dawson made five field goals, and our defense had some really great reps and at times even showed their strength against the Ravens Offense.

However, none of those good points could overcome the division leading Ravens. The Browns don’t seem to be relying in “Automatic Phil” to get the job done, and yet he was the only player who put any points on the board. While Weeden had some nice moments, he didn’t throw any touchdowns and still threw two interceptions, the second of which solidified the loss for the Browns. This was a step back from the win during Week 8, where Weeden threw no interceptions and one touchdown.

I believe the Browns have it within themselves to win, they just don’t know how to do it yet. Sometimes, the most entertaining part of the game is when the cameraman pans up to new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam after a particularly frustrating play. I find it comforting that he’s reacting in ways similar to diehard Browns fans: shaking his head, waving his hands, etc. For some reason, these reactions comfort me, and some of my friends, because it’s nice to see that we’re not the only ones frustrated. Hopefully the frustration will turn into some positive change in the Browns organization. If not this year, then hopefully by the 2013 Draft. Browns fans: always looking forward.

Trent Richardson

It’s late October. You have that sniffle, coughing, headachy feeling. For me, it’s a sinus infection but for the rest of the Cleveland fans its “Mid-Season Fever.” Yes, that’s a thing.

It’s that time in the year when every Browns fan is frustrated almost to the brink of not watching a game. That day when we turn on the T.V. to watch the game, but get sucked into an infomercial about some “brilliant” cooking invention because we feel that will be less painful then the Browns game. Well what is the cure for this fever we Browns fans get? A win, of course.

On a rainy and blustery (understatement) Lake Erie, the Browns welcomed the 3-3 Chargers from sunny San Diego to…. well a typical fall day in Cleveland. This of course was exacerbated by Hurricane Sandy aka “Frankenstorm.” Even new owner Jimmy Haslam braved the elements to watch the game. None of these things could stop the Browns from victory at home.

Granted, the game wasn’t always fantastic, but playing in the elements off a lake will do that. I would equate it to playing at Lambeau Field in January in the middle of a blizzard. Both are very difficult places depending on the weather. There were dropped passes, bad punts, bad snaps, and just sloppy playing on both sides of the ball.  But here’s how Cleveland was cured of the “Mid-Season Fever.”

Trent Richardson did what he was unable to do the past two weeks because of bruised ribs; he broke tackles and rushed for 122 yards and one touchdown. Richardson was very effective on Sunday, doing what we always knew he could do, break tackles and make defenses look silly. Our other rookie, Brandon Weeden also had a good game, throwing zero interceptions and a passing 11/27 for 129 yards.

The lone Browns score came on a 26 yard run from Richardson in the first quarter. The Chargers were held to only two field goals, one coming in the second and third quarter.  With the wind at Browns Stadium, it was impressive that any kicker could do anything right, considering the ball had to be held on the tee during at least one of the kick offs.

It honestly was a great game, and one that has Browns fans looking toward next week. Yes, we have the Ravens for Week 9, which is what makes us all the more optimistic. A win at home is just what the Browns needed before a game with a divisional rival.  Hopefully the Browns take what they learned worked in Week 8 and use it to their advantage next week as they go into it with a record of 2-6. For the rest of Browns fans, I hope it cured your “Mid-Season Fever.”

Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck

 Week 5′s Rookie of the Week award is a no-brainer.

Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck led the Indianapolis Colts to a come-from-behind victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.  Luck completed 31 of 55 passes for 362 yards and two touchdowns.  He also rushed six times for 24 yards and scored a touchdown himself.

Most say that Robert Griffin III has already locked up the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but I wouldn’t say that’s the case at all.  Luck is having a very quiet, successful season so far.  The Colts may be 2-2, but Luck has thrown over 300 yards in all but one of his first four games, a total talley of 1,208.

The Colts were trailing the Packers 21-3 at halftime and Luck put together three touchdowns in the second half.  The final drive for the win was a hit to Reggie Wayne with 35 seconds left on the clock.

It looks like the transition from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck is coming easier than expected.

Some noteworthy honorable mentions:

Russell Wilson – QB – Seattle Seahawks
19-for-25, 221 yards, 1 TD

Rueben Randle – WR – New York Giants
6 receptions for 82 yards, longest for 36 yards

Will Hill – S – New York Giants
4 tackles (all solo), one forced fumble

David Wilson – RB – New York Giants
2 carries for 44 yards, longest for 40, 1 TD (first career NFL TD)

Trent Richardson – RB – Cleveland Browns
17 carries for 81 yards, 5 receptions for 47 yards, 1 TD

Rookie of the Week leaderboard through Week 5:
Andrew Luck: 2
Robert Griffin III: 1
Russell Wilson: 1
Chandler Jones: 1

Follow Kelsey O’Donnell on Twitter @KelsODonnell

The Cleveland Browns remain winless, despite jumping out to a two touchdown lead in the first quarter. They lost to the Giants Sunday 41-27.

Cleveland scored the first points of the game less than a minute into the first quarter when Trent Richardson had a 15-yard run for the touchdown. The Browns took advantage of an Ahmad Bradshaw fumble on the kickoff.

Richardson finished with 17 carries for 81 yards. As noted by ESPN Stats and Info, Richardson is the first rookie in “Browns history to record a rushing touchdown in four straight games.”

Brandon Weeden followed up with a 62-yard touchdown pass to Josh Gordon on the next drive.

Cleveland’s lead didn’t last much longer as the Giants outscored Cleveland 27-3 to take the 27-17 halftime lead.

The Giants maintained their lead as Eli Manning passed for 259 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

Weeden had a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, which went to Gordon once again, but for 20-yards. The rookie finished the game completing 22-of-35 for 291 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Cleveland’s loss puts them at 0-5 for the season. With the Paul Brown Bowl Part Deux (or Battle of Ohio for those of you that refuse to abide by my nicknames) taking place next week, the Browns need to figure out a way to get a win.

It is clear Weeden and Richardson are improving. It just sucks for them that they have to play on the Browns. But who knows, maybe Cleveland can get it together and win some football games.

Brandon Weeden

The Cleveland Browns are 0-4 after losing to the Baltimore Ravens Thursday night, 23-16.

The difference in the game was a Cary Williams interception return for a touchdown, late in the third quarter. Baltimore was up 23-10 at that point. Phil Dawson kicked two field goals during the fourth quarter to cut into the lead.

The Browns were able to get the ball back and drove down the field. On 4th down with seconds remaining, Brandon Weeden’s pass was tipped. However, a personal foul call on Paul Kruger, who pushed Joe Thomas after the play, kept the Browns alive.

As time expired, Weeden overthrew receiver Greg Little, which ended the game.

Cleveland’s lone touchdown of the game came in the second quarter when Trent Richardson had a one-yard run for a score. Richardson was held to 47 yards on 14 carries.

Cleveland once again put much of their focus on the passing game. Weeden attempted 52 passes in the game, completing 25 for 320 yards.

Weeden has no doubt had his struggles this season, but give him credit for keeping the Browns in the game against a tough Baltimore defense.

If Weeden is going to succeed, he might need some better receivers. Eventually he’ll get that first win and second win and all will be okay for a few minutes in Cleveland.

However, the Browns might want to consider running the ball. Granted they were going up against the Baltimore defense, but they carried the bal a total of 17 times Thursday night.

If that’s not enough, they only carried the ball 13 times in Sunday’s loss to Buffalo. Feel free to try and establish some kind of rushing attack!

The Browns have the next 10 days to just chill out and do whatever, or get ready for the New York Giants. The fun for Weeden continues.

To read about the Ravens and how they fared against Cleveland, read The Purple Nest.

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson

Week 2 of the NFL season is over and it’s time to crown the newest rookie of the week.  He led his team to a stunning upset over the Dallas Cowboys 27-7.

It is Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson finished the day completing 15 of 20 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.  Not to mention that gives him a 112.7 completion percentage.

Wilson showed a strong will to control his offense against a strong defense in Dallas, a defense with DeMarcus Ware bouncing around the line to try and fool quarterbacks.  Wilson certainly wasn’t fooled.

So far Wilson is proving that he is worthy of the starting position and is gaining Seattle some confidence.  Congrats on this weeks awesome rookie honors, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else he can bring this season.

Some noteworthy honorable mentions:

Trent Richardson – RB – Cleveland Browns
2 TDs, 109 rushing yards, 4 receptions for 36 yards

Brandon Weeden – QB – Cleveland Browns
322 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Andrew Luck – QB – Indianapolis Colts
224 yards, 2 TDs

Robert Griffin III – QB – Washington Redskins
206 yards, 2 TDs, INT, 82 rushing yards, TD

Ryan Tannehill – QB – Miami Dolphins
200 yards, TD, 91 pass rating

Adam “Pacman” Jones

The Cleveland Browns rookies stepped up big Sunday afternoon against Cincinnati, but it wasn’t enough as the Bengals won 34-24 in the “Battle for Ohio.”

The Browns quarterback, Brandon Weeden, drove the team downfield, trailing 34-24, with less than two minutes in the game. The key highlight of the drive was Weeden completing a 27-yard pass to Ben Watson.

Weeden set up Phil Dawson to get his second field goal of the game, this one for 25-yards.

The Browns went for an onside kick, but Cincy recovered, giving them the game.

Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson had a big game for Cleveland. He had his first career touchdown run in the second quarter on a 32-yard run. The Browns were down 14-10 at that point.

Richardson had another touchdown, this one a 23-yard pass from Weeden with seconds remaining in the third quarter. Richardson finished the game with 19 carries for 109 yards.

Weeden recovered from his week one performance by completing 26-for-37 for 322 yards and two touchdown passes.

Adam Jones kicked things off for the Bengals with an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Later, Andy Dalton had his first of three touchdown passes, this one to A.J. Green for 10 yards and the score.

Dalton gave the Bengals a 24-10 lead early in the third quarter when he completed a 44-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Tate. He had one more in the fourth quarter to Andrew Hawkins for 50-yards, giving Cincy a 31-17 lead.

Cleveland falls to 0-2 and will play Buffalo at home next week. Cincinnati will travel to Washington next week.