During the week preparing for the game, Chad Johnson, who is notorious for his ability to catch passes and pull pranks, sent the Cleveland secondary bottles of the pink medicine with notes informing the Browns defensive backs that they "will be sick of covering him". Unfortunately Johnson’s stats didn’t live up to his hype as he was shut down for three catches, 37 yards, and four drops. Rudi Johnson was never able to establish a solid running game for the Bengals as he collected 57 yards on 16 carries without a touchdown. The Browns defense did a great job of pressuring Palmer and not allowing Johnson to beat them up the middle.
Andre Davis had only one catch the entire game, but perhaps it was the most effective. After being pinned within the one-yard line on a punt, the Browns looked to surprise the Bengals with play-action and a throw over the top. Garcia faked a hand-off to Green and rolled out to his right as Davis beat his single coverage downfield. Garcia simply threw the ball over everyone’s head and Davis outran the Bengals secondary. The 99-yard touchdown ties the NFL record for longest pass play in history. Coach Marvin Lewis, who is well-known for his outstanding defensive teams, watched his team give up 34 points to a Browns offense that ranked 25th in the league in passing statistics.
The Browns are 3-0 at home this season, but will face an undefeated force next week in Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
