Chewing up some clock: During their three-game winning streak, the Browns offense has put together drives of six minutes or longer in all three triumphs. Against the Dolphins in Week Six, the offense had two six-plus minute scoring drives, both resulting in TDs. Against the Rams in Week Eight the offense had two drives of six-plus minutes, resulting in a field goal and TD. In the victory over the Rams, the Browns had their most time-consuming drive of the season, taking 7:51 off the clock on a crucial second half drive that resulted in a field goal that provided the final 27-20 outcome. The offense provided another six-plus minute drive in the Week Nine win over Seattle when they went on a 14-play, 89-yard TD drive that provided the Browns their first lead late in the game. The 14-play drive against the Seahawks also marked the most plays the offense has had on a drive this season.
Time of Possession; Opponent; (# plays, yards, result)
6:53 vs. Miami 10/14 (12-play, 66-yard, result: TD)
6:08 vs. Miami 10/14 (10-play, 67-yard, result: TD)
7:51 at St. Louis 10/28 (12-play, 45-yard, result: FG)
6:16 at St. Louis 10/28 (12-play, 80-yard, result: TD)
6:03 vs. Seattle 11/4 (11-play, 69-yard, result: TD)
5:38 vs. Seattle 11/4 (14-play, 89-yard, result: TD)
Under the century mark: The Browns defense has had back-to-back games in which they have not allowed a 100-yard rusher. In their Week Nine victory over the Seahawks, the Browns defense limited Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander to 32 yards rushing on 14 carries.
D.A. leads the way: Browns QB Derek Anderson made the first start of his NFL career at Pittsburgh last season, throwing for 276 yards, including a 45-yard TD to WR Braylon Edwards. Heading to Pittsburgh again, Anderson enters the game 2-0 against the AFC North as a starter this season. Against the AFC North this year, Anderson has 8 TDs (3 INTs) and a 103.1 passer rating. In the Browns five wins he has completed 95 of 149 passes (63.8 pct.) for 1,389 yards with 13 TDs (3 INTs) and a 114.8 passer rating.
Anderson enters Week 10 with the fourth most passing TDs (17), fourth highest yards per completion average (8.2), sixth most passing yards (2,108) and the ninth highest QB rating (91.7) in the NFL. In addition, Anderson is on pace to surpass 4,000 yards passing for the season.
Make-A-Wish: Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 13 year-old Nick Wagner was granted his wish of meeting his hero Brady Quinn. Additionally, Wagner was able to visit the Training Facility to catch practice November 2nd, and afterwards, he played catch with Quinn and also received a special surprise from his hero – a locker custom made for Wagner, complete with a game jersey and more clothes than he knew what to do with. Wagner and his family finished their visit to Cleveland by attending the Browns vs. Seahawks game November 4th – a game the Browns won in overtime, 33-30.
Shaun Smith school visit: Defensive lineman Shaun Smith will visit AJ Rickoff School in Cleveland November 13th as part of his “Lining Up with Shaun Smith” program. Smith donates tickets each home game to students at AJ Rickoff who do well in school. Additionally, Smith provides each of his guests with custom shirts and food vouchers for the game. This was the second of three visits to the school this year as part of his “Lining Up with Shaun Smith” program.
From the Locker Room:
Head Coach Romeo Crennel
(On how QB Derek Anderson handled the Steelers blitzes in Pittsburgh last year and how he handled the Ravens blitz packages earlier this year)- “I thought that early on last year that he did okay. He was putting the ball where it needed to be and we didn’t catch it. Then the game got out of hand. Against Baltimore he seemed to handle that pretty good. We won the game. If he can handle the Pittsburgh blitz this time as well as we did the Baltimore game, then we might be able to win.”
(On being slated to have CBS’ number one game and number one announcing crew for the game and the excitement surrounding the game)- “Well, I didn’t know we had the number one broadcasting crew. It’s no different. We still have to go down and play and we have to play good football. I think, as I mentioned before, that because of where we are – and we haven’t been here in several years here in Cleveland – that people are excited about the possibilities. With that being said, we still have eight games to play. We have to play them one at a time and if we don’t play good, then it won’t be good. If we play good, I think that we’ve shown that we have enough ability that we can make some plays and get some things done if we play good.”
QB Derek Anderson
(On why he didn’t appear to be intimidated when he started at Pittsburgh last season)- “They put on their pants just like we do. Obviously, they’ve been playing well, but you just have to go in there with confidence and continue to do the same things that you’ve been doing. If you go out there intimidated then you’re in for a long day.”
(On whether he feels the offense is gaining confidence each week)- “Yes, I do. We go out on the field and I feel guys are confident in not only what we’re doing, but what we have been doing, knowing that if it doesn’t happen right away not to panic.”
(On whether there is a sense of how big this game is in the locker room)- “Everybody is excited about the things that we’ve been doing and we’re just going to keep working. I don’t think we’re over anxious and we’re just going to keep preparing the way we have.”
(On the perception that people have that he is the biggest difference on the team from game one until now)- “I think we’ve done some good things. We’ve moved on and continued to improve. I don’t think it’s me by myself. I think it’s the whole deal.”