So many times, we tend to pass judgment too harshly and too quickly. Each week, after we have had a chance to digest the game, here at DawgBones.com we will break down the Cleveland Browns game from the week before. Let us look at the top 5 good things, the top 5 bad things and the top 5 things that failed to impress us in this week’s game. The segment is called 20/20 Browns Hindsight we hope you enjoy it.



Top 5 Good Things: Texans Game

1. RB Jamal Lewis told all that would listen, "This is my time of year.", and he wasn't lying. After a solid performance in Baltimore 2 weeks ago, Lewis came back home and had an even better day. He carried the ball 29 against the Texans for 134 yards and a touchdown. Of the 29 rushes, 21 of them were in the 2nd half and helped the Browns close out the game. With 3:12 to play in the game and the Browns up 27-17, Lewis had his number called on 6 straight plays, converting 2 first downs and running out the clock. Jamal Lewis is making a strong argument for being signed and brought back by the team next year and beyond.

2. TE Kellen Winslow II's 10 catches against the Texans give him 62 on the season, most of any TE in the NFL. The 107 yards he had give him 874 on the year, most by and TE in the NFL. His 7-yard TD catch Sunday gives him 5 on the year, 2 more then he totaled all of last year with 5 games still to play. Winslow's great play has helped open up the running game and given the Browns a chance to control time of possession in their last 2 ball games, coincidentally both wins.

3. Rookie CB Brandon McDonald has seen his playing time increase the past 2 weeks due to an injury to starting CB Eric Wright. McDonald responded by getting a game ball from head coach Romeo Crennel for his defensive play and his special teams play. McDonald helped the Browns secondary hold Texans WR Andre Johnson to just 3 catches for 37 yards and no scores. McDonald defended 4 passes and picked off Texans QB Matt Schaub midway through the 4th quarter setting up the Browns final TD drive and a 27-10 lead. McDonald also added 2 special teams tackles on the day. It was a coming out party Browns fans were ecstatic to see.

4. The past few weeks we have had a missing person's bulletin out on OLB Kamerion Wimbley, Sunday he was found. Against the Texans Wimbley had 3 tackles, 2 QB hurries, 1 pass defensed and 1 forced fumble. The forced fumble was a huge play as it came after the Texans completed a 17 yard pass on 3rd and 2 that would have given them a 1st down at the Browns 22 yard line. That's a game changing play and what we have been waiting a long time to see from Wimbley this year.

5. ILB D'Qwell Jackson made his return to the starting lineup Sunday and was all over the place. He led the team in tackles with 12, defended a pass and stopped another Texans drive in the 2nd quarter by intercepting Schaub after a tipped pass at the Browns 36 yard line. Jackson may have returned at just the right time to a Browns defense that is starting to play much better.



Top 5 Bad Things: Texans Game

1. Texans head coach Gary Kubiak is supposed to be an offensive minded coach, having tutored under Broncos head coach Mike Shannahan, but we wonder what he was thinking Sunday. The Texans trailed the Browns 14-10 at halftime, but had run the ball very well in the 1st half averaging 5 yards every time RB Ron Dayne touched the ball. In the 2nd half Dayne would only touch the ball 5 more times. After Kubiak stated he thought he went away from the run to soon, you think?

2. The Browns followed up a 12 flag day in Baltimore with another 7 penalties against the Texans. Ironically the additional penalties in Baltimore were due to crowd noise. The team has their next 2 games on the road and need to get their penciant for penalties under control. No need to make the next 5 games harder then they have to be as the surge for the playoffs wages on.

3. Punter Dave Zastudil had his worst game, perhaps, as a Browns punter Sunday. He had 2 28-yard punts Sunday and neither was downed inside the 20 or designed to be short kicks. With the weather changing in northeast Ohio we are hoping Zastudil's off day was just that.

4. Much of the Browns offensive success this year has come from their ability to convert on 3rd down. Sunday the Browns offense was a pitiful 3-13 converting on 3rd downs. We have stated here previously that the Browns can not continue to lose on 1st and 2nd down and hope to convert 3rd and long. They held nearly an 11 minute advantage in time of possession against the Texans, imagine what that would have been if they were converting on 3rd down.

5. One of the hallmarks of the Browns this season has been their red-zone offense. Sunday they were just average. Making 6 trips into the red-zone the Browns came a way with just 3 scores. They will need to take advantage of each and every opportunity they have over the next 2 weeks on the road.



Top 5 things that failed to impress: Texans Game

1. WR Braylon Edwards seems to be playing his way out of a possible pro bowl spot. After catching any and every thing thrown at him in the first 8 weeks of the year, Edwards has had some huge drops. We aren't talking about the sensational grabs, but the one's that have hit him right in the hands. Edwards needs to realize teams are trying to take him out of the game, but when his number is called he must make the play.

2. CB Leigh Bodden has battled injuries this season and we know that, but he is being out played week in and week out by rookies. Bodden has made some game saving interceptions this year, but has no picks since week 8 and has only 1 pass defensed since then as well.

3. Texans QB Matt Schaub has had a nice season so far and many were giving him the edge over Browns QB Derek Anderson going into Sunday's game. Schaub was efficient, but no where near spectacular. His 2 interceptions cost his team points and led to Browns scores. Schaub does not possess a big time arm and struggles making some throws. Schaub and Anderson have about the same amount of starting experience right now and we would take Anderson every day of the week.

4. The Browns special teams return units have been magnificent all season, but Sunday they were virtually non-existent. Give credit to the Texans of course, but it seemed as if this unit was suffering a little hang over from Baltimore. Hopefully going forward they can once again be a force for the Browns.

5. We can't think of anything else and the special teams was a reach. The game was one of the most complete the Browns have played in a long time. Here's hoping they can keep it going in Arizona!

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