Thanks to my brother-in-law for the pic from the stands

- Wow, is this weather nasty or what? I touched on the weather during today's show on Dawg Pound Radio, and it has only gotten worse. The wind is on a tear off the lake, and the snow continues to fall. The field is so snowy, that there was a minute-and-a-half delay while the referees tried to find the 50 yard line to spot the ball.

- Jamal Lewis is a stud in the snow. He's already broken off a couple big runs, and has 80 yards and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry at the half. During the Browns' last drive of the half, J-Lew went over the 1,000 yard mark for the 6th time in his career.

- The Browns have not been afraid to throw in the bad weather, and it's definitely paying off. Braylon Edwards has made a couple spectacular catches already, and is over 100 yards for the day. Meanwhile, the Bills haven't been able to throw the ball very much in the first half, and Trent Edwards has only thrown 9 times.

- The Browns' defense is not itself. It's actually stopping the Bills. There have already been several runs stuffed at or before the line of scrimmage, and Andra Davis has had a couple big plays in the backfield as well. The firm of Smith, Smith & Kelley has been getting a good push off the line, and have been able to produce some penetration when rushing just 3 or 4 guys.

- After this first half, I will slap the stupid out of anyone who continues to say that Phil Dawson shouldn't be in Cleveland. Not that I wouldn't have before, but Phil's cranked out two field goals, including an unbelievable 48-yarder into the wind. I know he's getting older, and his leg's not quite as strong as it used to be, but please, name 3 other kickers that would put that kick right down the middle? I'll wait...

More to come later. Enjoy the 2nd half!

It wasn't the prettiest of victories, but the Browns will take it as they remain in playoff contention and move past the Jets 24-18 yesterday at Giants' Stadium.

Despite a few hiccups, Cleveland's defense was able to bear down in clutch moments - including a heart (and Jet) stopping goal line stand to start the second quarter that was capped off by a Sean Jones interception in the end zone.

Jamal Lewis put the proverbial "nail in the coffin" with a 31-yard rumble, shedding several Jets defenders on his way to the end zone, and Joe Jurevicius was able to recover 2 of 3 onside kicks for the Browns to hang on.

That's all for now, but be sure to check in later, as I'll be posting my full review of the action this evening.

EDIT (12/11/07): I was unable to post my review last night. I'll get that taken care of this evening. Sorry!

Now that I've wiped a bit of egg from my face in picking the Browns to handily (based on the score) beat the Cardinals, here's the game in review:

1st Quarter:

The game began with a miscue, when Derek Anderson - unpressured - threw the ball away to the left side. He was called for intentional grounding, and the Browns had already set off on the wrong foot. After what appeared to be the beginnings of a nice drive, Anderson threw a pick-6, and then aborted a snap shortly thereafter.

I couldn't find a pic of "the boot," so I guess a picture of Leigh Bodden getting burned will do.

On the Cardinals' ensuing drive, Kurt Warner threw an incomplete pass that would have brought up fourth down and four - that is, if Leigh Bodden didn't decide to do his best "Phil Dawson" and boot the ball into the bench. Bodden was called for Deglay of Game, and the five yards assessed were enough to give the Cards a first down. Warner and Edgerrin James continued to carry the Cards downfield and capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Pope.

Definitely a tough first ten minutes to watch...

This week, the Cleveland Browns (7-4) head to Arizona this week to take on the Cardinals (5-6). Coming off a strong win at home, the Browns look to narrow the AFC North lead, held by the Steelers. Arizona is coming off a tough overtime loss to a bad 49er team. Despite their record, last weeks loss, and the team's injury problems, home field advantage gave them 1 point the last time I checked.

That must be one hell of a field. I'm not saying that the Browns are going to beat the Cards like rented mules, but that's a lot to overcome.

That being said, let's take a look at the matchups:

Cleveland Browns' running back Jamal Lewis and rookie corner Brandon McDonald were both nominated for Week 12 awards.

Lewis' 134 yards and TD during the Browns victory over the Texans earned him a nomination for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Other nominees for the honor are Oakland's Justin Fargas (22 car, 139 yds, 1 TD) and San Fancisco's Frank Gore (21 car, 116 yds, 2 TD).

You can place your vote for Jamal by clicking here.

Brandon McDonald went from "who?" to "who is this guy?" in a three-hour period, and is up for Rookie of the Week. His step-up performance included 1 solo tackle, 4 pass defenses (effectively shutting down a Pro Bowl-calliber receiver) and 1 INT in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal against Houston.

Vote for Brandon McDonald Here.

A few things you might have learned about the Browns as well as myself during the 27-17 whooping the Browns handed to the Houston Texans:

#1 - Apparently, I cannot spell the word "recover" on a Treo to save my life. I was previously unaware, but the club section's bar doesn't have to stop serving until after the game is over...probably not a good idea to blog there in the future. Less Drinking, More Blogging - Check.

#2 - Give Jamal Lewis 25-plus carries, and in return, you will get 100-plus yards. This man is truly punishing defenders, and quieting those who said he no longer had what it takes to be a feature back in the NFL. His 134 yards places him just outside of the top ten backs in the league, and if he keeps running as hard as he has been the past couple weeks, he could finish with his sixth 1,000 yard season.

#3 - It seems not only does Brandon McDonald dance, he plays a little bit of Defense, too. The rookie cornerback was bumped up into the Browns' Nickel package after Eric Wright's knee injury, and man did he play well. McDonald finished the game with 4 pass defenses and an interception, his first as a pro. Good to see the young guys step up in a time of need. Good game, Brandon.

The Cleveland Browns have completed their first division series sweep since 2002, when the Browns swept the Bengals. Coincidentally, that was the last time the Browns made the playoffs. This time, however, the sweep was handed to the Ravens after a 33-30 Cleveland victory in overtime.

For the second week in a row, the Browns' defense blew a lead of 13+ points (last week was 15), and pinned all of their hopes on the shoulders of a last-second drive authored by Derek Anderson and a long field goal from Phil Dawson. Last week, one pulled through, while the latter came up just short. It seemed to be a similar story, as Anderson fired a missile to Braylon Edwards, who made a great catch in traffic to put Cleveland in position to attempt a 51-yard, overtime-forcing FG.

After hitting the left upright, Dawson's kick ricocheted through the posts, the ball clearly hit the back extension, causing a mass-confusion in M&T Bank Stadium. The referee originally signaled "no good," fans began to file out of the stadium, and even the Ravens themselves tried to sneak into the locker room with the win.

The refs overturned the call after about 2½ agonizing minutes, and overtime ensued. There was still hope.

The Browns have signed former San Diego Charger tight end Ryan Krause and former Raven/Bill Alan Ricard each to one-year contracts. This move yesterday pulls in depth at both positions, which, for one reason or another, may be a bit thin at the start of the upcoming season.

With Kellen Winslow's knee in question, Krause will likely sit behind the recently extended Steve Heiden. Ricard, who helped Jamal Lewis rack up 2,066 yards in 2003, will probably help in showing Lawrence Vickers the ropes and sparingly block for his old buddy.

I remember sitting on my couch devastated the evening of September 14, 2003. Jamal Lewis had simply embarrassed the Browns defense, ripping them open for an NFL single-game record of 295 yards during a 33-13 clobbering by the Ravens. "We've truly reached a new low," I remember thinking.

After watching Lewis tear apart Cleveland's defense twice a year, I felt hopeful when I had learned that the Ravens were trying to make cap room and had released their all-time leading rusher. Sure, they had done so in the hopes of re-signing him at a discount price, but when the 1 year deal they had offered him was rejected, Lewis decided to look elsewhere.

First stop? Cleveland.

My hope continued to grow, mostly due to the recent pattern of players signing with the first team they visit during this year's free agency period. Lewis is a punishing back who definitely fits the mold of what the Browns have been trying to do since returning to the league: develop a smash mouth power running game to batter opposing defenses into submission.

The Browns front office saw the value offered by the 5' 11", 245-pound back and grabbed him off the market with a 1-year contract, which is likely to be incentive-based due to (somewhat minor) injury concerns.

The signing of Lewis brings up the issue of what to do with Reuben Droughns, who, despite being the Browns' first back to produce a 1,000 yard season in 20 years, struggled with injuries throughout the 2006 season and finished with less than 800 yards. Droughns is due a $1.75 million bonus in the next week or so, and it is likely he will either be released or traded.

This move may also have an impact on the Browns' decision on what to do with their 3rd overall pick in April's draft. The Browns may decide to create a truly dominant left side of their offensive line by signing Joe Thomas to work next to the recently acquired Eric Steinbach, or trade down and look elsewhere.

Despite what many are saying, however, I don't think this lessens the possibility of the Browns grabbing Adrian Peterson out of Oklahoma.

Peterson, who brings a great combination of power and speed, would likely make an immediate impact and could benefit greatly by studying under a strong, proven vet like Lewis...as long as he doesn't need to borrow a cell phone.

I really tried to let this one go by - I've been fighting it all day. However, I just cannot let it go. Yet another Bengal player has been arrested.

It appears that after pulling over a vehicle in which Bengals corner back Johnathan Joseph was a passenger, a deputy caught a big ol' whiff of the sticky-icky. Joseph's back pack was searched, and a bag of pot was found inside.

I believe this would be a time to raise our glasses once more (my arms are tired, aren't yours?) to the proud Bengals organization. Paul Brown would be rolling in his grave gleaming with pride if he could see what you have done with his club, Marvin Lewis!

Nine players arrested in less than one calendar year. That's gotta be an NFL record. Someone get the bronze ready. Marvin's bust will very obviously be expected in Mansfield Canton for this one!