It would’ve been nice, but it wasn’t meant to be.
The Browns went to Minnesota to try to win two in a row for the first time
this season, but were unable to accomplish the task. Three turnovers and key
penalties continued to plague the Browns as they slipped to 4-7 on the season.
The Browns found themselves down 10-0 in the first half and were able to get
a field goal before the halftime, but trailed 17-3 in the middle of the third
quarter. A field goal made it 17-6 late in the third quarter. The Browns could
get no closer.
The Vikings turned two fumble recoveries and an interception into touchdowns
and that was the difference in the game as they rolled to a 24-12 win.
Meanwhile, the Browns couldn’t score touchdowns in the red zone as they
settled for two field goals both times they had first downs inside the 20. The
did score their only touchdown in the final moments of the game
The Good
Reuben Watch: RB Reuben Droughns had 90 yards of total offensive in
the first half. He rushed for 73 yards and now has 941 on the season. He
finished with five receptions for 46 yards and had total offense of 119 yards.
Who Needs Daunte?: QB Brad Johnson won his first four games since QB
Daunte Culpepper went down with a season ending knee injury. Johnson completed
his first five passes.
Thanks Marcus: Rookie RT Marcus Johnson jumped three times on the
Vikings’ first drive. However, the Vikings were able to overcome the three
miscues and score a field goal. In the third quarter, Johnson held Orpheus Roye
and it called back a Vikings’ touchdown.
Chaun Shines: LB Chaun Thompson tackled RB Mewelde Moore for a
two-yard loss as he fought off LT Bryant McKinnie in the first quarter.
What a Crock: S Chris Crocker picked off a pass deflected off a
Viking’s receiver and returned it to the 38.
Frisman Time: Seldom used WR Frisman Jackson had five catches late in
the game for 38 yards. Jackson had eight catches in the season opener, but had
been inactive for several games.
Funny Business: K Phil Dawson appeared to line up to attempt a
career-long field goal attempt of 55 yards. However, he took a direct snap and
pooch punted it to the Vikings’ six-yard line.
Braylon’s Bad and Good: QB Trent Dilfer’s first interception was right
to WR Braylon Edwards and it went off his hands to former Ohio State DB Antoine Winfield. In the third quarter, Edwards caught a short pass and carried a couple
of tacklers several yards for a first down. He finished with four receptions.
Run, Joshua, Run: KR Joshua Cribbs continued to run hard on kickoff
returns and had one return back to the Vikings’ 43.
Big Tip Roye: DE Orpheus Roye batted two passes down in third down
situations. He had another solid game for the Browns.
The Bad
Frye Time: Rookie QB Charlie Frye replaced Trent Dilfer with 10:50 to
play in the fourth quarter and the Browns trailing 17-6. Dilfer was limping
after injuring his knee after being hit after he threw a pass in the second
half. Frye threw an interception on his first pass attempt. Dilfer returned to
the game after Frye’s one play.
Making the Most of it: WR Marcus Robinson had just three catches—all
for touchdowns.
Little Pressure: The Vikings came in having given up 45 sacks--the
second most in the NFL. However, the Browns were able to get just two sacks.
Meanwhile, the Vikings sacked Dilfer five times. Roye picked up the Browns first
sack with around three minutes to play in the third quarter. Ethan Kelley added
a meaningless sack with just a couple of minutes to go in the game.
No Knock Down Power: LB Ben Taylor hit TE Jermaine Wiggins well short
of a first down on a third down play, but Wiggins dragged Taylor for over five
yards to get the first down.
Give it Back: Dilfer was sacked and fumbled the ball away to the
Vikings on the first play after Crocker’s interception. Romeo Crennel challenged
the ruling, but it was upheld. The Vikings made the Browns pay as they scored a
touchdown to make it 10-0.
The Ugly
Turnovers: Running a fake reverse, Dilfer was sacked and lost the
ball. The Vikings had the ball inside the Browns’ red zone and made the score
17-3. The Vikings scored three touchdowns on Browns turnovers.
Time Management: The Browns wasted a golden opportunity with a first
down inside the 10 and over 30 seconds remaining. He Browns had a timeout
remaining, but allowed the clock to wind down to 12 seconds before committing
their first of two false starts by Antonio Bryant. Braylon Edwards had the
other. The Browns settled for a field goal. The Browns are the worst team in the
NFL in scoring touchdowns when they’re inside the 20. They’ve scored just six
touchdowns in 21 attempts, with 15 field goals.
Late in the game, the Browns took their time when they needed to score a lot
of points. They seemed to be playing with no sense of urgency.