CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

Cincinnati Bengals

Final: Bengals 23, Browns 20

By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com Posted October 4, 2009 1:09 PM ET

Brad St. Louis made the snap and Shayne Graham made a 31-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 23-20 victory in overtime.

* The Bengals forced overtime, but if not for the a missed snap, they'd be walking out of Cleveland Browns Stadium after 60 minutes with a snap.

* Brad St. Louis had his third bad snap in four games and it could cost the Bengals the game.

Shaun Rogers blocked an extra point after St. Louis' snap went behind holder Kevin Huber, who brought it down but it gave Rogers time to penetrate far enough to block the go-ahead extra point.

The Bengals hadn't had a first down since the touchdown in the first quarter, and then drove 70 yards in 10 plays to tie the game at 20.

* There aren't enough shoulders for all the blame in this game -- blame the special teams, the offense, the defense, the coaches, the players -- you name it.

But of all the bad things, the special teams play for the Bengals may have been the worst. Joshua Cribbs just added another long return -- 50 yards -- to set the Browns up for an easy 31-yard field goal and a 6-point lead with 6:34 left.

* It'll come down to the fourth quarter again for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Billy Cundiff hit a 26-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter, to give the Browns a 17-14 lead.

Andre Caldwell fumbled on a kickoff return, giving the rejuvenated Browns offense the ball at the Bengals' 18 with a minute-and-a-half left in the third quarter.

In the second and third quarters combined, the Browns had 305 yards of total offense, the Bengals 17.

* The Bengal pass defense had Browns receivers covered on fourth-and-goal from the 1, so Derek Anderson ran it in himself to tie the game at 14.

After a dominating first quarter by the Bengal offense, the teams have flip-flopped, with the Browns driving up and down the field on the Bengals. Since Chad Ochocinco's touchdown, the Bengals have had an interception and four three-and-outs, while the Browns offense has found a go-to guy in rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who has six catches for 135 yards.
Anderson is 15-of-26 for 200 yards, a touchdown and a pick.

Browns running back Jerome Harrison has 18 carries for 93 yards.

* Johnathan Joseph picked off a Derek Anderson pass in the end zone and returned it 32 yards to keep the Bengal lead.

Browns coach Eric Mangini challenged the ruling on the field and lost, leaving the Browns with no challenges and just one time out with 8:32 left in the third quarter.

* Browns fans, who have seen all sorts of offensive ineptitude held their breath after a reversed touchdown call, but were able to exhale on play later as Derek Anderson found Steve Heiden in the back of the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:26 left in the first half It was the Browns' second offensive touchdown 10 games.

Anderson and Mohamed Massaquoi hooked up for what appeared to be a 30-yard touchdown on the first play after the 2-minute warning. Replays showed Massaquoi was down at the half-yard line.

The drive was set up by another long punt return from Joshua Cribbs. Cribbs returned a Kevin Huber punt 39 yards to the Bengals' 38.

The Bengals could not answer before halftime. The Browns will get the kickoff to start the second half.

Cincinnati managed just 21 yards of offense in the second quarter to the Browns 142. The Bengals lead overall for the half, 177-152

* Leon Hall stripped the ball from Cleveland's Jerome Harrison and Robert Geathers Jr. returned it 75 yards for a touchdown to give the Bengals a 14-0 lead.

* Joshua Cribbs returned a kickoff 58 yards to the Bengals' 34 right before the end of the first quarter. Bernard Scott made the tackle to stop Cribbs and prevent a touchdown.

The Browns had 10 yards of offense in the quarter to the Bengals' 156.

* Chad Ochocinco caught a 5-yard pass from Carson Palmer to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead with 35 seconds left in the first quarter.

The play, which was reviewed on a challenge by the Browns and upheld, capped an 11-play, 65 yard drive.

The Bengals have 156 yards of offense in the first quarter to the Browns' 3.

Bernard Scott ran for 10 yards on fourth-and-3 to help the Bengals overcome a first-and-20 and later in the drive Brian Leonard

* The Bengals had no problem moving the ball down the field on their opening drive but Browns tackle Shaun Rogers blocked his 13th career field goal on a 23-yard attempt by Shayne Graham.

The Bengals faced just two third downs on their march down the field, converting with a 24-yard pass to Andre Caldwell and then Carson Palmer was short on a scramble on third and seven from the 10, setting up Graham's field goal attempt with 8:15 left in the first quarter.

The Browns' first drive with new quarterback Derek Anderson was a three-and-out as Braylon Edwards dropped a sure first-down on second-and-3 from the Browns. 23.

* The skies are gray and the wind is blowing. It's Cleveland.

Two Bengals starters are out today: Tank Johnson because of a foot injury and Roy Williams because of a forearm injury. Chinedum Ndukwe will start in place of Williams at strong safety, and Pat Sims will start for Johnson at defensive tackle.

The rest of the inactives are cornerback David Jones, receiver Jerome Simpson, tight end Chase Coffman and offensive linemen Andre Smith and Scott Kooistra. Jones and Smith are still recovering from foot injuries. Jordan Palmer is the designated third quarterback.

Nate Livings is dressed, but Evan Mathis again will start in his place at left guard.

The Browns inactives are kicker Phil Dawson, running back Jamal Lewis, defensive back Anthony Madison, offensive lineman Rex Hadnot, offensive lineman Floyd Womack and tight end Greg Estandia.

Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News

Tags: Andre Caldwell, Braylon Edwards, Carson Palmer, Chad Ohcocinco, Derek Anderson