Week 2 Game Recap - Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts

Coming into Sunday’s showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium the Colts had won the last 5 meetings between these two teams. As they say this ‘is a different time and a different year’, for the Colts it has been a horrible start. First losing Peyton Manning before the start of the season then to lose the opening weekend to the Houston Texans in a blowout it has not been a great couple of weeks to be a Colts fan. The Colts fan base is strong but there is nothing that can rattle the foundation like losing and that is something that the fans are not used to in the days of Manning. It is easy to become ‘spoiled’ as a fan of the Colts because they have been so successful for many seasons. This year it could be a different tale, the Colts are not feeling hopeless but starting 0-2 would make things a little unsettling in Indianapolis. For the Browns they were looking to show that they are a serious player in the AFC and the best way to do that, come into the dome and hang a loss on the Colts. Peyton Hillis has emerged as a top of the line running back in the NFL. A big, strong, physical runner he has really put himself front and center as the impact player for Cleveland. With Colt McCoy taking the snaps and Hillis running the ball, the Browns looked to pound the ball down the Indianapolis defense throat. Both were 0-1 and both need a win to get back on track, so let’s see how the game played out:

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1st quarter:

The Colts struck first as Adam Vinatieri connected on a 39-yard field goal and the score at the end of the first Cleveland 0, Indianapolis 3

2nd quarter:

Colts call on Vinatieri again and he connects on a 27-yard field goal putting Indy up 6-0. Cleveland strikes back as McCoy finds Moore from 16-yards out for the touchdown. Indianapolis drives the ball down the field but settles for another field goal from Vinatieri (52-yards). Right before halftime Peyton Hillis get the call and scores from 1-yard out for a touchdown. The score at the half Cleveland 14, Indianapolis 9.

3rd quarter:

The Colts put another field goal on the board from Vinatieri (36-yards) and the score at the end of the third, Cleveland 14, Indianapolis 12.

4th quarter:

Cleveland strikes first with a field goal from Dawson from 20-yards out. Again the Browns hit again as Peyton Hillis takes the ball to the house from 24-yards out for a touchdown. For good measure Dawson adds another field goal from 23-yards out. The Colts finally get on the board in the fourth as Kerry Collins finds Dallas Clark from 6-yards out for the score. The final Cleveland 27, Indianapolis 19.

This is unfamiliar for the Colts they are used to putting up big numbers and allowing the defense to play with a lead, in order for them to right the ship they must get offensive continuity. With that it could take some time, time they do not have.

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer