BALTIMORE (AP) — Eight games, eight wins. The
Baltimore Ravens
achieved perfection at home for the first time, and now they’re looking to add to that ledger in the playoffs.

Joe Flacco
threw two touchdown passes, and the Ravens beat the bumbling
Cleveland Browns
20-14 on Saturday to move one step closer to winning the AFC North.

Ray Rice
ran for 87 yards and caught a TD pass for the Ravens (11-4), who led 17-0 at halftime and held on.

“I have never been perfect at home in 16 years of football. That’s amazing,” Baltimore linebacker
Ray Lewis
said. “As good of teams we’ve had here, we’ve always found (a way) to lose one or two here or there. I think this year we
really made a focus on taking care at home. This is the result, us being able to go 8-0 and being able to be sitting where
you want to sit at the end of the day.”

The Ravens would win the AFC North by defeating Cincinnati on the road next week. That would also give Baltimore a first-round
bye and a home playoff game – two if New England loses next Sunday at home against Buffalo.

“It’s big, man,” linebacker
Terrell Suggs
said. “We are at our best when we are at (home) and our fans are rocking. So we definitely need a home playoff game, by any
means necessary.”

Flacco went 11 for 24 with touchdown passes to Rice and tight end
Ed Dickson
. He also had a 33-yard run.

Josh Cribbs had a career-high 84-yard punt return for a TD for Cleveland (4-11). But the Browns generated very little offense
and were guilty of questionable play calling, bad clock management and untimely penalties in their fifth straight loss.

Cleveland saved the worst for last. Having already burned their three timeouts, the Browns lined up on defense after the two-minute
warning with the Ravens facing a fourth-and-2 at the Cleveland 37.

It appeared obvious that Flacco and the Ravens were merely hoping to draw the Browns offside.

As the play clock moved close to zero, Cleveland tackle
Phil Taylor
jumped across the line of scrimmage to give Baltimore a first down.

“It was the first hard count and we stayed onside,” Taylor said. “The second time, I just jumped. Of course you feel bad,
but you just got to move on.”

Said Flacco: “I don’t know if I’ve ever been in position for that to happen. It’s never worked.”

The Ravens then ran out the clock on their eighth straight win over the Browns, including two this month.

“We knew this would be quite a challenge for us,” Cleveland quarterback
Seneca Wallace
said. “We’re playing the Ravens at home, and they’re playing for everything. I should have played better, and I should have
made better decisions.”

Wallace went 19 for 33 for 147 yards in place of
Colt McCoy
, who was out with a concussion.
Peyton Hillis
ran for 112 yards, but Cleveland’s offense mounted only one decent drive.

The Browns took the opening kickoff and moved from their own 26 to the Baltimore 30 behind the power of Hillis, who gained
30 yards on six carries. But on a third-and-1, Cleveland inexplicably went to the air, and
Lardarius Webb
intercepted Wallace’s pass for
Mohamed Massaquoi
.

Flacco immediately threw deep for
Torrey Smith
, who drew a 60-yard penalty for pass interference on
Mike Adams
to set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dickson.

Later, a 29-yard throw from Flacco to Smith led to a 48-yard field goal by newcomer
Shayne Graham
, signed in the middle of the week to take over for the injured
Billy Cundiff
.

After another Cleveland punt, Flacco directed an 82-yard drive that gave Baltimore a 17-0 lead. Rice slipped behind linebacker
D’Qwell Jackson on the right sideline, caught a soft pass in stride and sprinted into the end zone to complete a 42-yard scoring
play.

That made Flacco 5 for 5 for 94 yards and two touchdowns on third down.

Cleveland moved deep into Baltimore territory late in the first half, thanks in part to a 30-yard pass interference call against

Chris Carr
. But with the clock inside 10 seconds and the Browns without a timeout left, Wallace handed off to Hillis instead of spiking
the ball, and Hillis went nowhere.

Wallace took the blame, and so did Browns coach Pat Shurmur.

“I need to communicate it better, OK?” Shurmur said.

Time expired before Cleveland could get off another play, and the Browns headed to the locker room after being held scoreless
in the first half for the second time this season. The other time it happened was also against Baltimore.

Graham kicked a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 20-0.

The Browns finally scored when Cribbs took a punt on the right sideline, escaped an arm tackle and broke toward the center
of the field before outrunning three defenders into the left corner of the end zone late in the third quarter.

“I was wondering where all the defenders were,” Cribbs said. “I saw all the great blocking around me. From there, it was easy.
It was just a walk in.”

Cribbs also contributed to Cleveland’s next touchdown, catching a 23-yard pass from Wallace as part of an 80-yard drive that
ended with a 9-yard TD throw to
Evan Moore
midway through the fourth quarter.

The Browns forced a punt, but on a fourth-and-4 from the Cleveland 45 with 4:03 left, a pass to Hillis did not produce the
necessary yardage.

Taylor’s jump across the line of scrimmage soon followed.

NOTES: Ravens KR
David Reed
hurt his left knee and declared himself out for the season. Also, Baltimore OT
Marshal Yanda
(chest) and CB
Cary Williams
(concussion) did not play in the second half. … Shurmur said the Browns sustained no serious injuries. Cleveland closes
the season next Sunday against Pittsburgh.

© 2011 STATS LLC

BALTIMORE, Md. — 1. In the past two games, Peyton Hillis has carried the ball 50 times for 211 yards. Yes, he has looked like the Hillis who rushed and grunted and bowled his way to 1,177 yards last season. Baltimore set its defense to stop Hillis, and he still had 112 yards on 24 carries against a team ranked No. 2 against the run and allowing only 90 yards a game. This came after Hillis had 99 yards in the 20-17 loss to St. Louis.

2. After a season of controversy and injury misery, Hillis is finishing strong and reminding the Browns why, when healthy, he won’t be easy to replace. That will be especially true if the current Browns coaches can figure out how to use him effectively as a receiver. He was that a year ago, catching 61 passes. He has 21 catches this season. A free agent, the Browns should re-open talks to see if they can keep Hillis — without trashing their salary cap.

3. There are times when coaches make the game harder than is needed. The Browns took the opening kickoff and ran the ball right at the Ravens. On his first six carries, Hillis had runs of 6, 1, 3, 11, 5, and 4 yards. The blocking was excellent, especially from young guards Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston, who have been improving the past few weeks.

4. With the ball on the Baltimore 30 and a third-and-1 situation, coach Pat Shurmur called for some type of strange screen pass to receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. Seneca Wallace was throwing into the wind and lofted a paper airplane of a pass that was picked off. In fact, the ball was intercepted 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage — remember, the Browns needed only a yard for a first down. If you want to pass in that situation, at least throw it to player who is in position to gain the 1 yard for the first down.

5. The same principle is true for that fourth-quarter pass to Hillis. It was a critical fourth-and-5 play with 4:05 left. It was a sideways pass that went for no gain. To gain 5 yards on a pass, a receiver usually should be at least 6 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

6. While Seneca Wallace (19-of-33, one touchdown pass, one interception, 66.1 rating) had some nice moments, he didn’t play much better against Baltimore than Colt McCoy (17-of-35, one touchdown, one interception, 63.0 rating) in the 24-10 loss earlier in the season. Wallace did have that mess at the end of the first half where he lost track of the clock and cost the Browns a field goal.

7. Massaquoi caught two passes for a grand total of 17 yards. He was targeted five times. He has only 29 catches this season. Yes, he had a concussion earlier in the year, but he has been healthy for several weeks. But he just looks lost out there. In 2009, the Browns took two receivers — Brian Robiskie and Massaquoi — in the second round, and it appears neither is an NFL starter. Robiskie was waived by the Browns, claimed by Jacksonville. He has battled some injuries and has yet to catch a pass for his new team.

8. Injuries to Ben Watson and Alex Smith have meant more time for tight end Evan Moore, who caught five passes against Baltimore. He has 30 catches this season and is tied with Joshua Cribbs for the team lead with four touchdown catches. Moore has played about 35 percent of the snaps this season.

9. Jayme Mitchell has started the past two games at defensive end and has one assisted tackle. Don’t ask me to explain it. But after a good start in the first few games of the season, Mitchell has been almost invisible on defense, and the Browns do need to find another starting defensive end for next season.

10. This 20-14 loss dropped the Browns’ record to 4-11, the final game being Jan. 2 at home against Pittsburgh. If they win, that would make them 5-11 for the third consecutive season. Since they returned in 1999, the Browns best back-to-back seasons were 7-9 (2001) and 9-7 (2002). Those were years three and four after expansion. Since then, they have lost at least 10 games in eight of the last nine years.

11. Since the Browns returned in 1999, they have drafted or signed only six players who have made the Pro Bowl. Two of them are special teams — Joshua Cribbs (a non-drafted free agent) and long-snapper Ryan Pontbriand. Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow made it once … and probably won’t again, certainly not in Cleveland. Alex Mack made it last season. The only legitimate star player drafted since 1999 is Joe Thomas, who has been to four Pro Bowls.

12. In that same span, Baltimore has drafted nine Pro Bowlers. Several have been true stars: Chris McAlister, Jamal Lewis, Ed Reed, Todd Heap, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and while Joe Flacco is close to that category. Only Lewis (No. 5 in 2000) was higher than a No. 10 pick. Yes, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome has been destroying the Browns on draft day, including that Ngata/Kamerion Wimbley deal in 2006. Until the Browns put together at least three strong drafts in a row, they remain the worst team in their very strong division.

When the Cleveland Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, December 24, 2011, they will be doing it with Seneca Wallace at quarterback. There is a good chance he will play the role of QB in the final game against the Pittsburgh Steelers the following week as well.

Colt McCoy is still out because of the concussion he sustained due to the head on collision courtesy of James Harrison. He is still having recurring symptoms from this injury and until he is fully recovered from this injury, it is simply not safe for him – or the other players – for him to be out on the field. McCoy will not travel with the Browns either. He will stay home and rest and focus on recovering.

Since Wallace is going to be taking over the role of quarterback for the remainder of the season, he has to start acting like a starting quarterback. According to his teammates. He is falling into the role well.

“I think he’s more vocal in the locker room and on the field,” said Joe Thomas, a left tackle for the Browns. “When you’re the starter, you’re the coach on the field, not only calling plays but getting everybody lined up correctly, making sure the formation’s are correct, the personnel is right. You’re kind of the designated rah-rah guy. When things are going south, you’re the guy that needs to stand up and get everybody in a positive direction.”

Wallace has acknowledged that he is just the backup quarterback and that he is afraid to overstep his boundaries. However, he needs to lose this mentality as it could hold him back. He is not the backup at this moment. He is the starter for the remainder of the season and he needs to think like a starter. He has played in nine NFL seasons and has earned his time on the field.

In the Arizona game, Wallace showed that he has what it takes to make plays. He definitely gave the Browns some new energy. The only thing the Browns need to work on right now is keeping that energy throughout the entire game because that energy definitely faded by the end of the third quarter. If Wallace can keep throwing good passes and keep his men energized, the Browns just might have a chance to defeat the Ravens.

R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen is a lifelong Browns fan who grew up in a household of Browns’ fans. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and still lives there. Regardless of the trials and tribulations the Browns have been through, she remains loyal, albeit honest about her home team. Follow Rose on Twitter @Rose_Kitchen

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Browns running back Montario Hardesty still hopes to salvage what’s left of his lost season.

“I definitely want to finish out these two games strong,” said Hardesty, who’s carried the ball in one of the past seven games because of his torn calf muscle. “I’ve been really frustrated with this calf injury. It really hindered me a lot this year, but I have two more chances to go out and play.”

Hardesty made the trip to Arizona and was active for the game, but stood on the sidelines and didn’t play. Meanwhile, Peyton Hillis rushed for 99 yards.

“The calf was sore last week,” said Hardesty. “I was ready if they needed me, but they didn’t.”

On Tuesday, Hardesty practiced full-go, and is hoping to see the field in Baltimore — against the Ravens’ second-ranked run defense.

“It feels a lot better” Hardesty said of the calf. “I got a lot of reps [Tuesday] and it felt good. Hopefully it will continue to improve throughout the week.”

Hardesty said he never dreamt the calf would cost him most of his season when he felt a twinge on Oct. 30 in San Francisco. He carried the ball 11 times for 24 yards at Pittsburgh on Dec. 8. But he emerged sore from that game and had to rest again.

“I’d love to have a chance to play against Baltimore and Pittsburgh,” he said. “Both are great defenses. We have to find a way to win these games.”

Two new players: As expected, the Browns placed linebacker Titus Brown on injured reserve with his right knee injury and tight end Alex Smith on IR with his shoulder injury.

To replace them, the Browns signed linebacker Brian Smith off their practice squad and signed tight end Dan Gronkowski as a free agent.

Gronkowski is the brother of Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has set the NFL record for TD receptions by a tight end with 15 this season. Their other brother, Chris, is a fullback for the Colts. Dan Gronkowski spent five games with the Patriots this season, with one start. He was waived Nov. 8.

“I stayed in Foxborough,” said Gronkowski. “I had an apartment with my brother and was training. It paid off I guess, I felt pretty good out there. I didn’t feel like I’d been out that long.”

Gronkowski (6-5, 255 pounds) a seventh-round pick of the Lions in 2009 out of Maryland, said he used his time off to get bigger, which should help his blocking.

“I definitely can help in that area,” he said. “I’m definitely built to be a blocker, a little heavier. In the next two games I’ll do what I can.”

Gronkowski said he’s happy for Rob, who’s having blockbuster season.

“My brothers and I, we’re all best friends and we root for each other,” he said. “When he does good, it makes us all feel good and I mean, he’s a great player and I say that he’s learned everything from me. He set records this year and stuff and he’s an amazing player and he’s just going to get better.”

Brian Smith was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, but waived at the end of camp. In Week 12, he was signed to the practice squad.

“It’s a blessing to be back and I’m just the kind of guy that stays resilient, keeps working at it, and when I get my shot I’m going to take full advantage of it,” said Smith.

Concussion update: Browns fullback Owen Marecic practiced Tuesday and is expecting to play in Baltimore despite suffering his second concussion in four weeks on Dec. 8 in Pittsburgh. He said no one has discussed shutting him down for the season.

“It never really came to my mind,” he said. “I can’t speak for anybody else, but it never came up in conversation.”

Marecic said he changed helmets in hopes of preventing another concussion. Eight Browns players have suffered 11 concussions this season.

In other concussion news, receiver Jordan Norwood and linebacker Ben Jacobs both sat out Tuesday with theirs. With Norwood likely to sit, Carlton Mitchell figures to get some playing time.

“I think there’s definitely a chance,” said Mitchell.

Other injuries: Cornerback Joe Haden sat out practice with a thigh bruise, but said he’ll play in Baltimore. . . . Safety T.J. Ward (foot) also sat out, but is still hopeful he can play Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns’ performance this season hasn’t generated a wave of optimism for the team’s future.

But, there are glimmers for the 4-10 team.

Craig Lyndall writes for the blog “Waiting For Next Year” that rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard leads the Browns with 7 1/2 sacks. He notes that the number matches Marcus Benard’s team-leading total from last season.

Benard’s 2011 season was shortened by injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident.

Lyndall writes that maybe, just maybe, the Browns will be able to get a consistent pass rush next season from their defensive ends:

Assuming Benard is healthy and back in a (white) Browns uniform next year, the Browns might have that dangerous D word.  Depth.  Jayme Mitchell has had a very uneven season including trips to the doghouse.  24-year-old Emmanuel Stephens has seen time for the Browns in his second year in the league after being undrafted out of Ole Miss.  Brian Shafering has seen time in his third year and Oklahoma rookie Auston English has played a bit as well since Benard has been out.

None of those guys are superstars and the Browns’ rushing defense has left a lot to be desired this season, but they are certainly young.  If they can continue to improve and bring back a healthy and sleeker Marcus Benard back to camp, the Browns might just have some real potential to be dangerous rushing the passer without lots of stunts and blitzes.

It sure would be nice, wouldn’t it?  Sheard and Benard could have weekly meetings at the QB.

The Browns play the Ravens (10-4) in Baltimore on Saturday.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot’s report that quarterback Colt McCoy, who suffered a concussion on Dec. 8, is improving but his status for Saturday is uncertain; Tony Grossi’s podcast, talking about the Browns; Dennis Manoloff’s interview on Starting Blocks TV, where he says Browns’ fans shouldn’t place more value on draft positioning than on winning games; a Starting Blocks poll, asking Browns fans whether they’d prefer for the Browns to post upset wins over the Baltimore Ravens and/or Pittsburgh Steelers, or for the Browns to lose one or both games to enhance their draft positioning; and much more.

Goal to goal

Five things learned from the Browns’ 20-17 overtime loss to the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

Individual Browns’ player notes, from Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report.

Running back Peyton Hillis ran with the football like he did in 2010. By Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

Colt McCoy’s status remains unclear, and Browns notes, by Fred Greetham for Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report.

Seneca Wallace filling in at quarterback gives the Browns a perspective on evaluating Colt McCoy. By Vic Carucci for clevelandbrowns.com.

Peyton Hillis’ return to health provides a spark, and a Browns notebook, on FoxSportsOhio.com.

Whose stock is rising or falling after the loss at Arizona. By Mike Wilkening for ProFootballWeekly.com.

Finding some positives in the Browns’ offensive effort against Arizona, by Brian Murtaugh for the Bleacher Report.

What’s better and what’s worse about the 2011 Browns compared to the past couple seasons. By Mike Wilkening for ProFootballWeekly.com.

Is it too early to say Seneca Wallace would make a perfect mentor for Robert Griffin III on the Cleveland Browns next season?

While Wallace was not perfect in the Browns’ 20-17 loss against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, December 18, he gave the fans a glimpse of what a confidently run west coast offense looks like.

He completed 18 of 31 passes for 226 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. What made the biggest difference was his ability to make strong throws that the receivers were not consistently dropping.

The highlight of the game for Cleveland was his 76-yard touchdown reception to Greg Little in the third quarter. Those are the big plays that have been absent from the Browns offense all season.

As for Little, he played the best game of his career catching the ball five times for 131 yards. The touchdown reception was only his second on the year. His ability to catch the ball was greatly improved. It was nice to see he may have recovered from his case of “Braylonitis.”

Speaking of recoveries, RB Payton Hillis appeared to have recovered from his case of the “Madden Curse” and returned to the old form we fans witnessed last year. He had a solid game carrying the ball 26 times for 99 yards. He found the end zone once during the game on a 1-yard touchdown run up the middle on the opening drive of the game.

Now that Hillis appears to have recovered from all that has plagued him this season, I begin to wonder if he will be around next season.

In regards to next season, the Browns are in a difficult position. With Wallace showing poise and leadership on the field despite the loss, I do question if injured quarterback Colt McCoy should continue to “develop” week after week next season or if he is better suited in a backup role.

While Wallace may not be the man to lead the team to the Promised Land, the team is in desperate need of a veteran quarterback while McCoy or possibly Griffin III transition into the professional game.

Even Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks in the league, basically sat for his first three years in the league.

More Cleveland Browns Commentary from this Contributor:

The benefits of being a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan this season: A fan’s perspective

Cleveland Browns prepare for tough game against Baltimore Ravens: A fan’s view

Cleveland Browns release Pro Bowl veteran Pontbriand in favor of rookie Yount: A fan’s reaction

Fan’s look: Who is Peyton Hillis anyway?

Cleveland Browns’ fans deserve better: A fan’s take

Sources:

All data provided by NFL.com

Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Browns fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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By MIKE KEATING

The Review

The Cleveland Browns will continue their run through the AFC North against the visiting Baltimore Ravens, the original Cleveland Browns Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

Cleveland (4-7) scored its first opening-quarter touchdown of the season in its last game, but dropped a three-point decision to Cincinnati. Baltimore (8-3) threw a defensive blanket on Baltimore, recording nine sacks in a 16-0 win.

“They got (defensive) talent at every level, the line, the linebackers and the secondary,” Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur said.

The Ravens may be without veteran inside linebacker Ray Lewis, who is suffering from turf toe, but they still have nose tackle Haloti Ngata, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and safety Ed Reed to anchor the unit. Ngata has recorded five sacks and stuffs the run, Suggs leads the team with nine sacks and Reed is a sure tackler and ballhawk, recording 10 career interceptions against the Browns, including three for touchdowns.

“The (strength) of their defense is their pass rush,” Shurmur said. “The thing that makes their pass rush so good is they mostly bring only four guys.”

The Browns have run the ball their last three games and the return of Peyton Hillis was a plus against Cincinnati.

Hillis rushed for more than a 100 yards against Baltimore last season. Montario Hardesty, who returned to practice this week from a calf injury, and Chris Ogbonnaya, who amassed 215 yards on the grounds in the two previous games, gives Cleveland depth.

Quarterback Colt McCoy looked sharp the first three quarters against Cincinnati, but the offense went into a deep freeze in the fourth quarter. Wideouts Jordan Norwood and Greg Little caught touchdown passes, but Little also had four drops.

The Cleveland offensive line also disintegrated in the fourth quarter. It must provide consistent pass protection for McCoy, because of Baltimore’s relentless pressure.

Outside linebacker Scott Fujita, one of Cleveland’s key starters, has been lost for the season with a broken hand.

The Browns will have to be sharp defensively against a balanced Ravens’ offense led by quarterback Joe Flacco and featuring running back Ray Rice.

Flacco is 230-of-411 passing for 2,737 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interception, while Rice has rushed for 722 yards and scored eight times.

“(Flacco) has a very strong arm and finds ways to throw the ball outside the numbers,” Shurmur said. “(Rice) is playing at a high level. He, obviously, can run the ball extremely well and he does a good job catching it.”

Veteran wideout Anquan Boldin leads the Ravens with 48 catches for 747 yards (15.6 avg.), tight end Ed Dickson adds 43 grabs and rookie Torrey Smith contributes 31 receptions for 613 yards (19.8 avg.) and five scores.

“(Flacco) has a speedster on the outside (Smith) and they try to get over the top of the defense and then he’s got other efficient receivers that work underneath,” Shurmur noted.

Cleveland will have a new long snapper. Christian Yount, a rookie who played earlier with Tampa Bay, was signed to replace veteran Ryan Pontbriand, whose admitted slump led to his release on Tuesday.

Baltimore leads the series 17-7 and is 8-4 in games played in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

CantonRep.com reporter Steve Doerschuk wants to make it clear that the Cleveland Browns are not going to the playoffs this season.

So that means the Browns are in the race to finish the season with the top ten pick in the upcoming draft.

It’s a familiar place.

In 13 drafts since returning as an expansion team, the Browns have had top 10 picks in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

That’s an amazing, albeit depressing, .692 batting average, 9-for-13. And, to be more specific, none of those “top 10” picks has been lower than No. 7.

Losses to the Rams and Bengals makes Cleveland the favorite for another early pick.

More Cleveland Browns

Is Dick Jauron the best coordinator in the AFC North (ESPN.com)?

Baltimore Ravens on upset alert against the Browns (Ohio.com).

Cleveland Browns waive pro bowler (The News-Herald).

It’s often painful to be a Cleveland Browns fan.

The Browns seemed to be just one first down away from potentially beating the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday afternoon. Instead, a dropped ball, botched snap on a field goal attempt and a 51-yard pass play led to yet another loss for Cleveland, the team’s fourth defeat in five contests. It was the third time this season the Browns lost a game by a touchdown or less, and arguably the team’s third “should have won but didn’t” game of the current campaign. Looking ahead at the next five weeks, it seems as if Browns fans will again have to suffer through a long, long December.

3 final thoughts on Browns loss to Bengals: To punt or not to punt?

Many Cleveland fans, myself included, have yearned to see more aggressive play-calling from head coach Pat Shurmur during the fourth quarters of contests. There’s a difference between being aggressive and being foolish. Looking back at the game roughly 48 hours later, I still see no reason why Shurmur didn’t choose to have the Browns punt on the fourth and ten at the Cincy 37-yard line with roughly two minutes remaining. Attempting a 55-yard field goal with that much time on the clock and in not-so-perfect conditions is playing with fire regardless of the reliability of the kicker. Punting, on the other hand, would have run some time off the clock, pinned the Bengals back to at least their own 20 and put the game in the hands of Cleveland’s top tier pass defense. Kick the field goal there with 20 seconds on the clock, but not with 120 seconds left to play.

3 final thoughts on Browns loss to Bengals: The difference

Despite sweeping the season series, the Bengals still don’t seem to be all that different than the Browns. Both teams are young and both are prone to silly miscues on both sides of the football. The biggest difference between the two teams in November 2011 is the existence of a big-time playmaker on offense. The Bengals have A.J. Green(notes), a wide receiver capable of making highlight reel grabs when it matters most, during the final drive of a contest.

The Browns have nobody.

WR Greg Little(notes) has the potential to be that type of player, but he’s not there yet. Little was guilty of several drops on the afternoon, including one during Cleveland’s final meaningful drive. Being without a game-changing playmaker is something that has plagued the Browns for several seasons, and it’s a problem that must be dealt with during the upcoming postseason.

3 final thoughts on Browns loss to Bengals: What could have been

Cleveland fans are feeling a different kind of frustration as December 2011 nears. It’s not the Browns being 4-7 that has fans banging their heads against walls, desks or whatever they may find. It’s the fact that Cleveland could honestly be a 7-4 team right now. In Week 1, the Browns lost due to a quick snap and touchdown pass from Bruce Gradkowski(notes) to the previously mentioned A.J. Green. A botched snap just a few weeks ago cost the Browns a certain win against the Rams. This past Sunday, Cleveland was possibly one first down away from victory.

Imagine a 7-4 Browns team, one having the confidence of a 7-4 football team, looking at a schedule that includes two games each against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. We’d be saying that Cleveland was just two “upset wins” and a victory over lowly Arizona away from a playoff berth. That’s the difference between these Browns and a squad that will be playing meaningful January football. A truly good team wins in each of the scenarios mentioned in the previous paragraph. The 2011 Browns just aren’t at that level, and it’s why they’re destined for another losing season.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Browns fans are known for their (often unfounded) optimism.

But how long will they scrap for the slimmest glimmer of hope in the midst of loss after loss after loss?

After all, not only are the Browns 4-7 this season, but they have lost 136 of the 204 games they’ve played — counting the ONE playoff game, a loss of course — since returning to the NFL as a franchise in 1999.

The latest frustration stems from the Browns’ 23-20 loss to the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday. Cleveland seemed primed to pull the upset, leading, 17-7, at halftime.

Vic Carucci writes for clevelandbrowns.com that the Browns’ inability to finish off a would-be win is a familiar story that’s getting old:

It’s getting old to say that there is progress to be found in a loss. It’s getting old to talk about encouraging signs, such as the Browns’ offense scoring its first first-quarter touchdown of the season … or Peyton Hillis returning from his hamstring injury and putting a little bit of spark into Cleveland’s offense with more the tough, straight-ahead running reminiscent of his strong 2010 season …

Or seeing 10-point leads at halftime and in the third quarter … or having a defense that made critical stops, including a goal-line stand, and forced a fumble … or going toe-to-toe with an opponent that is very much in the thick in the playoff race.

But there is just too much about this Browns team that frustrates and leaves so little room for encouragement.

The Browns get another opportunity against an AFC North rival on Sunday in Cleveland, when they play the division-contending Baltimore Ravens (8-3).

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot’s story that rookie wide receiver Greg Little knows he must stop dropping passes; some observations on the Browns by Terry Pluto; video by David I. Andersen of Browns talking with the media on Monday; Cabot’s report that linebacker Scott Fujita will need surgery on a broken hand and could go on injured reserve; Tony Grossi’s podcast; and, much more.

About the Browns

The Browns need more playmakers, Steve Doerschuk writes for the Canton Repository.

Browns kick returner/wide receiver Josh Cribbs voices his frustration after another loss. By Brian Dulik for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Browns running back Peyton Hillis does a good job in his return. By Mike McLain for the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

The Browns linebackers will have to shuffle without Scott Fujita, Nate Ulrich writes for the Akron Beacon Journal.

An early report on the possibility of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis playing against the Browns, by Matt Vensel for the Baltimore Sun. And, the Ravens need to be patient in trying to get Lewis back on the field, Jamison Hensley writes for ESPN.com.

Browns players of the week, by Mike Wilkening for Pro Football Weekly.

Because of an accident, former lineman Scott Bolzan can not remember his time with the Browns during the 1985-86 seasons. By Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal. Ridenour also writes about a potential breakthrough in helping Bolzan re-gain his pre-accident memories.

Browns wide receiver Greg Little was upset with his performance after dropping passes against the Bengals. By Jeff Schudel for the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Revisiting the Browns’ loss to the Bengals, by Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.

Browns notes, including on long snapper Ryan Pontbriand and quarterback Colt McCoy. By Jeff Schudel for the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Things learned about the Browns from the loss at Cincinnati. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Some pregame scribbles before kickoff between the Browns and Bengals.

1. This game probably won’t mean much in terms of the standings. If the Browns win, they are 5-6. If the Bengals win, they are 7-4. But the game will have an impact on the fans’ state of mind.

2. If the Browns win, there will be a sense of progress. They finally beat a team with a winning record. They beat a team in the AFC North. And they beat the Bengals.

3. The Bengals were 6-2 before losing their last two games to Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Bengals’ success really annoys many Browns fans. They have a rookie quarterback. They were coming off a 4-12 season. Yes, they drafted A.J. Green, but weren’t they supposed to be rebuilding or something?

4. Then came the 27-17 loss to the Bengals in the home opener. Most Browns fans remember that was the game where the defense fell asleep and no one called time out as Green caught a 41-yard touchdown pass.

5. But Cedric Benson also was busting loose for a 39-yard touchdown run with 1:49 left. Not only did the Browns look disorganized on defense, they were flagged for 11 penalties. It was a nightmare of an opener for rookie coach Pat Shurmur.

6. That TD run by Benson was the longest of the season against the Browns. The 11 penalties is their single-game high. Only Tennessee (31) and Houston (27) scored more points on the Browns — who have held the opposition under 20 points in five games this season.

7. Have the Browns improved from that day? Can they win their second game on the road? If the Bengals lose this game, they will be 6-5 and on a 3-game losing streak. There will be a sense in Cincinnati that the 6-2 start was fools’ gold, that even the Browns have beat them.

8. The Bengals have defeated the same four teams as the Browns — Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Miami and Seattle. The difference is the Bengals beat Tennessee (which hammered the Browns, 31-13) and they beat those guys in the orange helmets.

9. For Shurmur and his players, it will be a huge confidence boost to beat a team in the AFC North — especially with four games remaining against Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Bengals have the No. 6-rated defense, No. 3 against the run. If Peyton Hillis and/or Montario Hardesty stay healthy, can the Browns actually run the ball? Can Colt McCoy keep making progress, as he has the last two games? I’m curious to see it.

10. In the last two games, Andy Dalton has been picked off five times — compared to three touchdowns. Baltimore and Pittsburgh will do that to a young quarterback. Can the Browns put some heat on him? This really does have a chance to be an interesting.

CINCINNATI – It was kind of a touchy subject around the Cleveland Browns this week.

No one really wanted to talk about what happened the last time the Browns and Bengals played. On their way to what looked like a win in the season opener, the Browns were stung by a quick-snap play that resulted in a 41-yard touchdown pass from Bruce Gradkowski to A.J. Green in the fourth quarter.

The Bengals went on to win, 27-17, ruining the debut of Pat Shurmur as coach of the Browns.

It will be a chance to gain some revenge today for the 4-6 Browns, while also providing the opportunity to play the role of spoiler. The Bengals are 6-4 and entertaining playoff hopes.

“Not bitter, anxious,” Browns receiver Josh Cribbs said of the approach to today’s game. “We’re ready to get out there and show what we can do. Show how we’ve improved and both teams have improved. We feel like we’ve improved a lot, and we know they’ve improved, but we’ll see on Sunday who improved the most.”

Shurmur has learned a lot about being a head coach in the 10 weeks since the first game. While the record might not indicate it, Shurmur believes that the Browns have made steady improvement.

“I feel like I’m 10 games better in my own mind,” Shurmur said. “There are things I’ve learned through this season. I think our team is 10 games better, and from that standpoint that’s about where I’ll leave my evaluation of it.”

The Browns will need a good game from quarterback Colt McCoy. The Bengals defense is third in the NFL against the rush, allowing 88.6 yards a game on the ground.

“I feel like Colt’s coming into his own,” Cribbs said. “Coach has opened up the playbook for him a little bit and allowed him to spread the ball around to different receivers, and Colt loves it. He’s fitting well into the system, and it’s kind of getting to the point to where he knows what the coaches want to see, the looks they want and the guys they want to have the ball.”

Running back Montario Hardesty, who missed the last three games with a calf injury, is expected to return to the lineup for the Browns. He’ll split carries with Chris Ogbonnaya, who rushed for 115 yards last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Browns have had trouble moving the ball consistently on the ground. It won’t be easy against a defense that plays an aggressive style against the run.

“They’ve got some outstanding players,” Shurmur said. “They’re a very good defense for a reason. Their scheme is outstanding, they’re very solid against the run, they make a commitment to stop the run and then when they know you’re going to pass it they try to get pressure on the quarterback.

“To me that makes for a good defense. When they get matched up one-on-one, whether it’s the rusher on the blocker or the cover man on the receiver, they can hold their own.”

It will be important for the Browns to shore up their defensive holes against the run. The defense is allowing 139.3 rushing yards a game, which should open the eyes of Bengals running back Cedric Benson. Benson has 634 yards and four touchdowns on 167 carries. Bernard Scott has added 263 yards on 74 carries.

“They’re both different styles of runner,” Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said. “You’ve got Benson, who’s more of an inside-the-tackles type of guy. The other guy is more of a bounce out. He gets to the edges type of guy. It gives you a lot to prepare for.

“They’re both really good at what they do. This is a team that’s committed to running the ball, so it’s no different than any other division game. We’ve just got to be ready for 30-35 carries on the ground. That’s just the way it’s been for us.”

The most important thing for the Browns is making sure to get out of the defensive huddle on time.

mmclain@tribtoday.com

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Browns coach Pat Shurmur has challenged quarterback Colt McCoy to carry his team through the AFC North gantlet that begins Sunday against the 6-4 Bengals.

“I’m looking for him to lead the charge in terms of ‘show improvement and win the game’ and I think that’s what we’re looking for as we go forward,” said Shurmur. “The way I look at it, we’re 4-6 and we’re trying to win this game as we push into the second half of this season. Hopefully we get on a roll here and then we can do something beyond January 1. We’re putting all our efforts into beating the Bengals and Colt is no different.”

The Browns have given McCoy this season to prove that he can be the quarterback of the future — and what a better way to do that than against five AFC North foes in the next six games, including three in 12 days.

“We’re going to find out how good we are because we know how competitive our division is,” said Shurmur. “In the next few weeks, we’re going to find out where we’re at.”

Fortunately for McCoy, the running game missing most of the season is showing signs of rebounding. Montario Hardesty will return after missing three games with a torn calf muscle and Peyton Hillis expects to play after missing five games with a pulled hamstring. In addition, Chris Ogbonnaya is coming off back-to-back games of 90 and 115 rushing yards.

The trio will try to rock the Bengals’ third-ranked run defense.

“It helps when you can run the football,” said McCoy, who’s probable with a sore right shoulder. “The defense has to respect that. Then all of a sudden you get some gimme throws here and there and you get in a rhythm.”

The Browns have gotten better in recent weeks at protecting McCoy and picking up the blitz. Rookie left guard Jason Pinkston is improving each game and Ogbonnaya, who will serve as the third-down back vs. the Bengals, is strong in blitz pickup. They’ll need to be on point against an aggressive Cincinnati defense, one that’s 10th in the NFL with 26 sacks. The Bengals are on pace for 42, which would be the most in coach Marvin Lewis’ nine seasons.

“Cincinnati has a really good defense,” said McCoy. “They do a lot of different things. They come after you, they play a lot of different coverages behind their pressures. I really have to do a good job myself of having my eyes right, knowing where the traps are, knowing where the coverages are going to be because it’s never the same. They’re very well-coached and they’re always in the right spot and they’ve gotten home a lot.”

Thanks in no small part to the running game, McCoy has played much better the past two weeks, completing 72.5 percent of his passes.

“Things are coming together for us a little bit,” said McCoy. “Everyone is becoming a little bit more comfortable. We’re doing some things better, we’re getting lined up better, we’re running routes better, we’re running the football a little better and when you put all those together it allows you to feel more comfortable out there. The last two games I felt like the receivers have especially done a good job. They’re starting to not think about things and play fast.”

Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has received high praise for the Bengals’ 6-4 record this season, as McCoy has taken heat for the Browns’ 4-6 mark. But their stats are very similar:

• McCoy is completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 21st in the NFL and Dalton is completing 59.3 percent for 23rd.

• McCoy has passed for 2,181 yards for 20th in the NFL and Dalton has passed for 2,239 for 18th.

• McCoy’s rating is 79.2 for 22nd in the NFL and Dalton’s is 79.6 for 21st.

• McCoy has thrown 11 TDs and seven INTs and Dalton has thrown 15 TDs and 12 interceptions.

The major difference is that Dalton’s No. 1 receiver, rookie A.J. Green, has caught six TD passes and McCoy’s, Greg Little, has yet to catch one.

“[Dalton's] probably about where they thought he’d be,” said Shurmur. “He’s doing a very good job. They’re doing what fits for their team. They’re very good at running the football, they’re very physical up front, they’ve got some outstanding playmakers and they’ve got a young quarterback they’re developing. They keep him out of harm’s way in some ways because they can run the football and they don’t ask him to do a lot of very heroic things. But you can see his playmaking abilities show up in the stuff they’re asking him to do and I think that’s a credit to them.”

The Browns contend their record could just as easily be 6-4 as well.

“Yeah, I mean, you think of two plays,” said left tackle Joe Thomas. “The first game of the season against Cincinnati, if they don’t throw that touchdown pass before we line up, we may win that game. Take one from them, give it to us. If we get the field goal two weeks ago, we’re 6-4 and they’re 5-5. I’m sure every team in the NFL can say that. We’re right there and we feel like we’re making the right progress.”

In addition to a full complement of running backs, McCoy also has receiver Mohamed Massaquoi back and is developing timing with his other receivers. Cribbs has caught three TD passes in four games and leads the team with four.

“Colt is coming into his own,” said Cribbs. “They’ve opened up the playbook for him a little bit and allowed him to spread the ball around to different receivers and Colt loves it. He’s fitting well in the system, he knows what the coaches want and who they want to catch the ball. All of these division games are a great chance for him to prove what he can do.”

Sitting out: Defensive end Jayme Mitchell has been ruled out with his ankle injury.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot