Dolphins @ Browns

[Vin+ 3,121]

TIME: 01:00 P.M. EST

VENUE: Cleveland Browns Stadium

 

 

 

The Cleveland Browns feel optimistic after splitting their first two games, and their defense is a big reason why.

 

The Browns can finish Sunday above .500 through three games for the first time in nine years as they host the winless Miami Dolphins.

 

Cleveland's defense shouldered much of the blame for a 27-17 loss to Cincinnati on Sept. 11, getting caught off-guard and allowing the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter while still in the huddle. However, that unit has otherwise been solid over the first two weeks, allowing 289.5 yards per game - sixth-best in the NFL.

 

The Browns (1-1), who are tied for the AFC lead with six sacks, took advantage of a Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis team last Sunday to win 27-19. In the second half, they forced three three-and-outs, an interception and a fumble.

 

Last season, Cleveland allowed 350.1 yards per game to rank 22nd in the league, but an influx of young talent and new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron seem to have helped.

 

Phil Taylor, the 21st overall pick in this year's draft, is second on the team behind D'Qwell Jackson with 11 tackles - seven solo. Jabaal Sheard, the team's second-round pick, had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery last week.

 

"I think they did a good job," coach Pat Schurmur said of the two defensive rookies, "and they're getting better. I'm seeing improvement each week."

 

The Browns, who were winless after three games the last three seasons and finished no better than 5-11, are looking to start 2-1 for the first time since 2002. That's the only season in which they made the playoffs since returning to the NFL in 1999.

 

"Players just taking our own initiative and put our foot down, we're not going to take this anymore," safety T.J. Ward said. "We're not going to be run-of-the-mill and accept these losses."

 

Thanks to the defense, the pressure on Colt McCoy hasn't been as great. The second-year quarterback, though, is coming off a solid performance as he went 22 of 32 for 211 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.

 

Nearly a quarter of his completions this year have gone to Peyton Hillis, who has 10 catches for 53 yards but is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. That's a yard lower than his breakout 2010 season, when he ran for 1,177 yards, though he did rush for 94 and two TDs last Sunday.

 

McCoy and Hillis have a chance to pad their numbers against Miami (0-2), which is giving up a league-worst 483.5 yards per game.

 

The Dolphins have been particularly bad against the pass. Opposing quarterbacks have a 120.4 rating against them - worst in the AFC. After allowing Tom Brady to throw for 517 yards, they let Matt Schaub complete 21 of 29 passes for 230 yards and two TDs in a 23-13 loss to Houston last Sunday.

 

This is the fifth time in six years Miami has started 0-2, but the Dolphins play their next three on the road, where they went 6-2 last year.

 

"Us being in an 0-2 hole, it's kind of like a must win," safety Yeremiah Bell said. "We've got to turn this thing around. It's on the players."

 

While the defense is carrying much of the blame, the offense also has struggled with the beleaguered Chad Henne under center. After passing for 416 yards in the opener, he was mediocre last Sunday, going 12 of 30 for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

 

Miami has been limited to four TDs in 10 red-zone opportunities and has scored just 60 percent of the time, tied for 30th in the league.

 

"As a quarterback, you want to hit the plays down there, you want to create plays and score touchdowns," Henne said. "It's definitely disappointing down there if we don't get it done."

 

While it was expected Reggie Bush would help the running game, he was overshadowed last Sunday by rookie Daniel Thomas, who had 18 carries for 107 yards. Bush had seven touches for 21 yards after getting 20 touches in the opener.

 

The Browns have won three straight over the Dolphins, including a 13-10 victory Dec. 5 on Phil Dawson's 23-yard field goal as time expired. Henne threw three interceptions.

 

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.

[Tridentdawgpound 1,043]

24

17

 

Perhaps I'm a homer, but I genuinely think we're a better all-around team.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Browns declared RB Peyton Hillis, OLs Tony Pashos and Steve Vallos, TE Jordan Cameron, DB Eric Hagg, LB Titus Brown, and QB Thaddeus Lewis inactive for Week 3 against the Dolphins.

 

The Browns will turn to Montario Hardesty in the backfield and veteran Artis Hicks in place of Pashos at right tackle. Hillis is battling a severe case of strep throat, but we suspect he'll rejoin the lineup for Week 4. Hardesty, in the meantime, gets a golden opportunity to earn more carries going forward.

 

 

 

Dolphins declared WR Roberto Wallace, CB Vontae Davis, LB Ikaika Alama-Francis, OL Ryan Cook, DE Tony McDaniel, TE Will Yeatman, and DE Phillip Merling inactive for Week 3 against the Browns.

 

Davis is the biggest loss. He'll be replaced by Nolan Carroll in what projects as a big downgrade in terms of talent and cover skills at outside corner. McDaniel is coming off an injury. Merling is shaping up as a draft bust.

[Tridentdawgpound 1,043]

What a fucking win. We're 2-1. I don't believe it. Colt McCoy has arrived, leading that winning drive was pro as hell.

[RazorStar 4,025]

A shame he couldn't put them away earlier, but Colt is showing good things.