Put the Ndamukong Suh talk on hold. The Cleveland Browns won a football game.
In fact, they dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers on the line of scrimmage and came away with a very unexpected 13-6 victory, ending the 12 game losing streak against the team from the Steel City.
We talk all the time about the importance of running the ball and stopping the run, and for one night, at least, the Browns accomplished both in the same contest. They ran for 171, paced by Josh Cribbs, who gained 87 yards in eight carries out of the wildcat formation.
Cribbs was the star of the game, setting up Cleveland’s first field goal with a 55-yard punt return to the Pittsburgh 8. He also caught one pass, and was his usual factor defensively on special teams as well.
Pittsburgh could never get their running attack going, either, as they were held to just 75 yards on the ground. It was telling early in the game that coach Mike Tomlin had little confidence in the running game when the Steelers tried to throw on 3rd and 1 on their first series, and Ben Roethlisberger was sacked.
The co-star of the game was the much-maligned Browns’ secondary whose coverage of the Steeler receivers was responsible for many of the eight sacks provided by the defense. Perhaps the footing on the turf slowed down the receivers enough that the Cleveland defensive backs were able to stay with the likes of Santonio Holmes and the injured Hines Ward.
Early in the game, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan dialed up a variety of blitzes to keep Roethlisberger off balance and it paid off with five first half sacks. The defense was particularly effective on third down, forcing eight punts by Pittsburgh, which means eight return opportunities for Cribbs.
Heck, even Hank Poteat managed to get a sack yesterday.
Brady Quinn’s number were pedestrian, hitting 6 of 19 passes for 90 yards with no interceptions, but he managed the game and seems to handle the no huddle offense very well. And it was good to see him going up and down the bench at the end of the game congratulating his teammates on a job well done.
But, it was really great to see how offensive coordinator Brian Daboll used Cribbs in the wildcat so effectively. The games where Cribbs carries one or two times is a waste. This guy is a weapon, not as a wide receiver, where he was tried early in the year, but in this formation. Cribbs is averaging over six yards per pop, and should be getting six to ten carries per game.
By the way, the front office needs to take care of Cribbs in the off-season, because he is a difference maker and the team’s best player.
To damper some of the excitement, the Steelers aren’t a good football team right now, having lost five in a row. These are not the Super Bowl winners of a year ago. However, when you haven’t beaten a team in six years, you’ll take it. It doesn’t mean the team has turned a corner, it just means you can beat a struggling football team.
Being 2-11 is not good. However, being 2-11 and not seeing Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward smiling throughout the game makes you feel good through the weekend. It’s about time.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 