[RolePlayer]

Browns No Match for Steelers
September 9th, 2007

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CLEVELAND -- For both the Steelers and Browns this game was a clear measuring stick game. Last season the Steelers struggled after winning the Superbowl and hoped this year they'd shape into form. For the Browns they made some major offseason additions hoping they'd fix the teams problems.

For the Browns, their problems showed up quickly, after a three and out on the first play on defense they gave up a 71-yard rushing touchdown to Willie Parker. Throughout the game, rush defense would be a problem for the Browns. At one point Willie Parker was averaging 8 yards per carry in the third quarter. Parker finished the game with 165 yards rushing for the day.

On offense the Browns were struggling as well, Jamal Lewis ran for 56 yards on 19 carries, not able to find a hole to run through all game. Charlie Frye struggled to connect with his receivers. Frye's completion percentage was barely above 40% and the Browns offense frequently found itself in three and out situations.

For the Steelers their rush attack was so potent they hardly threw the ball, Ben Roethlisberger only had to throw 18 times but he completed on 13 of them for 148 yards. Including a 22-yard touchdown pass to Najeh Davenport in the second quarter.



With 50 seconds left in the half, the Browns started to have their first successful drive. Fyre was able to connect with multiple receivers to get it to within the 30, if the Browns would've scored it would've made it a one-score game going into the half. However, a Frye pass was intercepted by Ricardo Colclough who proceeded to take it to back thirty yards, setting the Steelers up for a field goal.

In the second half not much changed, the Steelers were able to continue to drive up the field and the Browns couldn't get anywhere on offense. Kellen Winslow was the Browns leading receiver with only 30 yards.

Ted Washington was one of the few bright spots for the Browns, the 39-year-old was able to record seven tackles. Stopping the run multiple times throughout the game.

At the end of the game, the Browns trotted out rookie quarterback Brady Quinn too much applause by what remaining Browns fans were there. Quinn however, did not get anything going for the Browns. On four pass attempts, he only connected with one receiver. His final pass attempt was intercepted by James Farrior who took it back 61 yards for a touchdown as the seconds trickled out.

(Authors Note, Apologize for no detailed statistics, I'll have them week 3 and beyond)