Browns get it done, forget the first 56 minutes



Game-winning 14 yard TD catch
(Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)



Good God that was a bad game, with flags galore.  The Juggernaut was out with strep throat, I hope someone gets his homework for him.  Willie Green Montario Hardesty took the bulk of the carries (14 for 67, and looked all the part of a 2nd round pick) and against the desperate and winless Dolphins, all signs pointed toward another Browns loss where they played down to their opponent and small mistakes lead to a big loss with a sprinkle of WTF/OMG in the last 2:00.

The Dolphins kicked a field goal to extend their lead 16-10 with 3:23 left.  After after a kickoff return touchback, the Browns offense, which had done nothing all game, looked at 80 yards to win and the winningest college quarterback in his second season (first as full-time starter) ready to go.  After a nice catch by Little, the Browns later faced a 4th and 4 on the Miami 37.  Somehow McCoy found Hardesty for ten yards, which I said before the play that the chances of completing a pass were zero. 

The 13 play scoring drive ended with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Massaquoi, who was playing hurt (along with Cribbs).  McCoy finished the drive 9-13 after he was 10-26 for 136, one touch to Cribbs and one pick, before the Browns got the ball for the final time.

Then the standard "two men on the ground" celebration penalty as Benjamin Watson was basically patting Mass on the back and helping him up, gave the Dolphins great field position after the kickoff was moved back to the 20.  Miami was helped again by a horse collar penalty on the tackle, giving the 'phins the ball on the Browns' 47 with :36 left, 7 yards to get into Dan Carpenter's range.  Browns Backers were set up for a classic finish with 30 yards in flags.  One justified, one not (you be the judge).  3 incompletions and a pick by Mike Adams on a fourth down pass attempt to Marshall sealed the Browns' second win (TWO IN A ROW!) and sent the Dolphins home 0-3 with Sparano's seat white hot (more of a formality at this point).  LeBatard and Stugotz should have a fun week.  Suck it South Beach.

Here are the highlights, via clevelandbrowns.com