Posted on 12/16/2007 5:08:30 PM PST by Chi-townChief
Once out of the snow, the Cleveland Browns slid closer to a spot in the AFC playoffs.
Jamal Lewis plowed for 163 yards and Phil Dawson somehow kicked two field goals through harsh, wintry winds as the surprising Browns improved their postseason chances with an 8-0 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
In blizzard-like conditions better suited for the Iditarod sled-dog race, the Browns (9-5), who never figured to be playing meaningful games in December when the season started, picked up one of their biggest wins since returning as an expansion franchise in 1999.
Cleveland needed a win and a loss by Tennessee to secure at least a wild-card berth. Only half of that scenario happened, but the Browns will clinch their first playoff appearance since 2002 with a win at Cincinnati next week.
The Bills (7-7) were all but eliminated from making the postseason.
Buffalo looked more like a warm-weather team as the elements -- along with Cleveland's defense -- prevented the Bills from scoring.
It was Cleveland's first shutout since 2005 and just the Browns' third since 1999.
Unable to throw the ball with swirling winds off Lake Erie gusting over 40 mph, Browns quarterback Derek Anderson handed it 33 times to Lewis, and the Atlanta native slopped his way down the field like a kid who grew up in the Midwest.
Lewis, who signed a one-year, incentive-stuffed free agent deal with Cleveland in March, moved over 1,000 yards with his fourth 100-yard game this season.
The Bills rallied in the final minutes, driving the ball to Cleveland's 10-yard line with 15 seconds left. But on fourth down and out of timeouts, rookie quarterback Trent Edwards threw underneath to running back Fred Jackson, who was wrapped up by several Browns defenders.
When the final seconds ticked off, Browns fans tossed snow in the air in celebration.
Dawson's second field goal, a 49-yarder with 1:22 left in the first half, gave the Browns an 8-0 lead.
Dawson kicked it low and left, letting the wind bring the ball back between the uprights. After clearing the crossbar, it struck the goal post's support neck -- the same spot he hit on a deflection a few weeks ago in Baltimore to force overtime.
Dawson's 35-yard field goal -- at the opposite end of the stadium -- gave the Browns a 3-0 lead in the first.
Cleveland's other points came on a safety in the second quarter when a snap sailed over the head of Bills punter Brian Moorman, who chased the ball to the end zone and then kicked it into the stands before the Browns had a chance to recover.
The snow began falling -- it was actually blowing sideways -- about 1½ hours before kickoff and by game time, Browns Stadium had been transformed into a giant snow globe. The weather didn't turn away long-suffering Cleveland fans, who have waited years to see the Browns finally play an important game again.
With winds off Lake Erie gusting up to 40 mph, throwing the ball was nearly impossible and both teams had to rely on their running games to move the ball. But even that was tough as players struggled to get traction on the slippery, snow-covered field.
Surprisingly, despite the nearly unplayable conditions, there were zero turnovers in the first half.
“you don’t want everyone down here do ya’?”
As long as its just a visit. I like tourist money :)
Had what was called a winter storm, a mixed bag of snow, rain, some freezing rain, and some wind. Winter in Southern New England. The weather did not affect the Patriots at all, still winning over the hapless Jets. The are now done or toast for the season.
“Play the Superbowl in Green Bay!!”
Ahhhh, the good old days! It was called the NFL championship. The team with the best record hosted the game.
If only...
This ex-Clevelander dislikes snow too. Good win today even if they didn’t score a TD.
Bump that.
Always glad to see the Dirty Birds stumble...
How ironic that Cleveland won with two of the players that were Baltimore cast-offs. Guess that’s karma. And here in Baltimore, we’re stuck with an idiot coach and a bunch of urban thug wannabes.
The sports bar I went to had this game (plus the sound). I love watching these type of bad whether type games.
And the Ravens lost when the last of the old Browns missed that FG in overtime!
I was trying to figure out what the hell a “NOW BOWL” was. ;)
Sorry - the preview doesn’t show the thread title. I was hoping the moderator would fix it but no such luck.
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