Browns Vs. Cardinals: Arizona Rallies To Beat Cleveland 20-17 In Overtime

The Cleveland Browns found out how difficult it is to win on the road after they let a 10-point fourth-quarter lead slip away before finally losing to the Arizona Cardinal 20-17 in overtime.

The Browns defense did a nice job of slowing down the Arizona offense most of the day, only giving up a late second-quarter touchdown to the Cardinals through three quarters. After quarterback Seneca Wallace connected with receiver Greg Little for a 76-yard touchdown strike late in the third quarter, the Browns appeared to be in control of the game if they could just avoid any big mistakes.

But that wasn't the case once the game tightened up in the fourth quarter. On Arizona's first possession in the fourth, the Cardinals put together an impressive drive as quarterback John Skelton connected on a few big pass plays to move the ball 86 yards down to the one-yard line where running back Beanie Wells would punch it in to bring Arizona within a field goal with over eight minutes to play.

Then the mistake kicked in for Cleveland. Rush linebacker O'Brien Schofield went wild getting to Wallace for sacks on two plays in a row inside the Browns' 20-yard line. On the second sack, replay confirmed Wallace fumbled the ball and Arizona recovered in the red zone at the 14-yard line.

The Browns defense stiffened up thanks to a first-down sack by Jabaal Sheard which helped force the Cardinals to settle for a Jay Feely field goal.

Both teams were stuck with poor field position to begin their remaining drives which kept either team from a serisou chance to score for the rest of the game. Cleveland had the ball first in overtime but could only muster one first down before punting to Arizona.

Return man Patrick Peterson took the punt 32 yards giving Arizona the ball in Cleveland territory, but instead of easing their way into field goal range, Skelton hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 32-yard reception to put the ball on the four-yard line. From there Feely punched in the game-winning 22-yard field goal.

The Cleveland Browns expanded their lead over the Arizona Cardinals to 17-7 after quarterback Seneca Wallace hooked up with receiver Greg Little on a 76-yard touchdown pass at the end of the third quarter.

Wallace had been relying on the short passing game much of the day but struck deep after using his feet to avoid the Arizona pass rush. After escaping the pocket, Wallace rolled out to his right keeping his eyes focused downfield where he found Little running across the middle toward the right sidelinenear mid-field. Wallace hit Little in stride allowing him to stay in bounds and ward off a chasing defender before racing up the rest of the way to the end zone.

The Cleveland Browns gave up a late second-quarter touchdown to the Arizona Cardinals but did take a 10-7 lead to the locker room at the half.

After it looked like the Browns might end the half unscathed, Arizona quarterback John Skelton found his rhythm in the short-passing game quickly moving the Cardinals down the field in the final two minutes. The Cardinals finally scored with just 25 seconds remaining in the half when Skelton found receiver Andre Roberts for a nine-yard touchdown.

The Browns only had one other possession in the second quarter after starting the quarter with drive that ended with a Phil Dawson field goal. Quarterback Seneca Wallace continues to be conservative with the offense, completing 9 of 15 yards for just 85 yards with the longest reception coming on the 29-yard Mohammed Massaquoi touchdown reception. 

Running back Peyton Hillis has been bottled up after a strong start, ending the half with 69 yards rushing. The Browns defense has held Arizona to just 29 yards rushing at the half.

The Cleveland Browns jumped out to a great start behind quarterback Seneca Wallace as they took the opening kickoff and reeled off a seven-play, 76-yard scoring drive capped off by running back Peyton Hillis plunging into the end zone from the one-yard line.

Hillis simply finished off what he started as he took the ball on the first play from scrimmage for an 18-yard gain off the left side. He then tacked on another 12-yard run before Wallace found Mohammed Massaquoi down the right side for a 29 yard gain to put the ball in scoring position inside the five-yard line.

Wallace started in relief of the injured Colt McCoy and is 8 for 13 passing so far while managing  the short passing game. Hillis is carrying the load with 68 yards so far in the first half on 14 carries. Phil Dawson added a 44-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

The Cleveland defense has been able to shut out the Cardinals offense run by quarterback John Skelton playing in his sixth game of the season for Arizona.

There were indications late this week that Kevin Kolb could start this Sunday vs. the Browns. He supposedly increased his participation in practice on Thursday (despite all three days being labeled as "limited participant") and the team was optimistic that he would be able to do the same on Friday and be ready for Sunday.

However, reports on Saturday suggest  that Kevin Kolb is out and John Skelton, who is 3-1 as a starter, will get the nod. Skelton led the Cardinals to a win over the 49ers last week after Kolb was re-injured.

Here is the full injury report for the Arizona Cardinals:

In addition to losing tight end Benjamin Watson for the season due to a concussion, the Browns will have three others out on Sunday. Colt McCoy, of course, is the other that was expected after being sent home from practice two days in a row due to a concussion he suffered last week against Pittsburgh. 

The Browns will also be without T.J. Ward and Owen Marecic, and seven others are listed as questionable. Here is the full injury report for Sunday's game: 

After news that quarterback Colt McCoy is officially out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a concussion, the Cleveland Browns announced on Friday that tight end Benjamin Watson has been placed on injured reserve and will be done for the season. Watson suffered a concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers, much like McCoy did. It was his third concussion since July, and that's never a good sign.

With concussions being such a big deal these days, it would have been very surprising to see Watson play after a third in one year. Teammate Alex Smith expressed earlier concern for Watson, noting that he should consider things outside of football - like his family - and not risk injuring himself further by playing. With three games left and the Browns not competing for the AFC North or even a wild card spot at this point, there's no point in keeping Watson in the lineup with further risk.

Watson led the Browns last year with 68 receptions for 763 yards, and this season is second with 37 receptions for 410 yards. It's been a down year, but he has been banged up with more than concussions throughout.

While the Cleveland Browns will likely be without their starting quarterback due to a concussion, the Arizona Cardinals could get theirs back from the same injury. Kevin Kolb passed all of his neurological tests on Thursday, but remains doubtful for Sunday's game. John Skelton, who is 4-1 this season when playing at least three quarters, has taken most of the first team snaps this week and is ready to go if he has to start. He has seven touchdowns opposite nine interceptions this year, but the team has been successful with him under center. 

Here is the full injury report for the Arizona Cardinals: 

S Sean Considine (Foot) -- Did Not Participate In Practice

LB Clark Haggans (Hamstring) -- Full Participation in Practice

TE Rob Housler (shoulder) -- Full Participation in Practice

S Kerry Rhodes (Foot) -- Full Participation in Practice

T Brandon Keith (Ankle) -- Limited Participation in Practice

QB Kevin Kolb (Head) -- Limited Participation in Practice

LB Joey Porter (Knee) -- Limited Participation in Practice

WR DeMarco Sampson (Ribs) -- Limited Participation in Practice

RB Chris Wells (knee) -- Limited Participation in Practice

P Dave Zastudil (Biceps) -- Limited Participation in Practice

Any chances of Browns quarterback Colt McCoy playing on Sunday vs. the Arizona Cardinals likely went out the window on Thursday when the second year quarterback was sent home from practice for the second consecutive day due to symptoms from the concussion he suffered last week. McCoy was concussed when he was hit by Steelers' linebacker James Harrison in last Thursday night's game.

Seneca Wallace, 31, took all first team reps again and is expected to start on Sunday. 

Here is the full injury report from Thursday for the Cleveland Browns: 

G Artis Hicks (Shoulder) -- Did Not Participate In Practice

RB Owen Marecic (Head) -- Did Not Participate In Practice

QB Colt McCoy (Head) -- Did Not Participate In Practice

S T.J. Ward (foot) -- Did Not Participate In Practice

TE Benjamin Watson (Head) -- Did Not Participate In Practice

DE Jabaal Sheard (Forearm) -- Full Participation in Practice

WR Joshua Cribbs (Groin) -- Limited Participation in Practice

RB Montario Hardesty (Calf) -- Limited Participation in Practice

G Shawn Lauvao (Ankle) -- Limited Participation in Practice

T Tony Pashos (Ankle) -- Limited Participation in Practice

LB Quinton Spears (Hamstring) -- Limited Participation in Practice