On to Week 9 of the regular season, and we travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns, who are last in our division.
Neither team can really get it going in the first, causing multiple punts and a Troy Smith INT. In the 2nd, Derek Anderson finds Brandon Jones wide open in the flats and he punches it in from 9 yards out. My guys answer right back, but are unable to convert a touchdown and settle for a 42yd FG by Serna. With time ticking down in the first half, Troy Smith hits Demetrius Williams flying down the field for a 32 yard strike and we close out the 2nd quarter on top 10-7. Second half, and the Browns tie it up quickly with a Phil Dawson FG from 28yds out. Serna answers back, hitting his 2nd longest FG of his career from 59yds out! 4th quarter now, and we drive down strongly and finish the drive with a 5yd run by Troy Smith. Once again, Serna has 2 4th quarter field goals to close the game and once again, we come out on top!
Player of the Game: Ray Lewis 10tck 5 for loss 2 sacks 1int
Other stats: Troy Smith 15/21 226yds 1td 1int; 5rush 15yds 1td
Willis McGahee 20rush 53yds, 2rec 36yds
Darren McFadden 10rush 29yds, 1rec 5yds
Demetrius Williams 4rec 75yds 1td
DeSean Jackson 3rec 51yds
Antawn Barnes 5tck 2 for loss 2 sacks
Dawan Landry 4tck 1 for loss 1int
Terrell Suggs 3tck 2 for loss 1 sack
Dwan Edwards 2tck 2 for loss 2 sacks
Defensive stats: 132pass yds allowed, 1td 2int
41rush yds allowed 2.1ypc
7 sacks
Offensive line: 1 sack given (LeRon McClain)
Special teams: 4/5 FG
2punts 29.5avg
Notes: Really slowed down their offense much better this time around, keeping them to about half the yardage they had the first time we met. Our pass rush was phenomanal and the pass coverage was stout. LG Jason Brown left the game with a hip injury and was replaced by Chris Chester (RG) but Brown should be good to go next game with only a slight bruise on the hip. Our run game started out strong, but really sucked later in the game. My running backs stopped running through the holes and tried bouncing outside instead. That did not fare well against their 3-4 defense. Troy Smith had his 3rd straight game of over 100 passer rating and is playing at a great level. I wouldn't call it "elite" but he makes plays when we need them. One thing to knock on him about is his footwork. Gets tripped up a lot in the pocket, and on QB draw plays sometimes doesn't find the right holes and gets jumpy. We are undefeated, but we still have a lot to work on as a team. Right now, we're just concentrating on the bye and 10-0!
Final Score: Baltimore 26 - Cleveland 10