SB Nation Cleveland - Browns Vs. Rams: Cleveland fails to score touchdown, falls to St. Louis 13-12

Browns' Fan Rant Curses Ryan Pontbriand In Loss To Rams

2011-11-15T04:08:55Z

After an embarrassing loss to the Houston Texans last week, local comedian and Browns fan Mike Polk went on a rant in front of a dark Cleveland Browns stadium. The video itself has been viewed over a half-million times, and can be seen here if you missed it.

In the video, Polk is seen wearing a Ryan Pontbriand jersey. Pontbriand is the long-snapper for the Browns and has become a sort-of cult legend in Cleveland after being drafted in the 5th Round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He is one of only twelve long-snappers to actually be drafted since 1982.

So what happens on Sunday against the Rams? It is a bad snap by Pontbriand that leads to Phil Dawson's missed 22-yard field goal late in the 4th quarter. The miss cost the Browns the game.

Polk was asked about the Browns' latest loss and what part his Pontbriand jersey may have played in the game.

Browns vs Rams Scoring Update: Browns Can't Find End Zone, Lose To Rams 13-12

2011-11-13T21:05:49Z

The Browns’ 13-12 loss to the Rams on Sunday can be classified only as a fluke.

The Browns have two of the NFL’s best special teams players in long snapper Ryan Pontbriand and kicker Phil Dawson. They’d combined for four field goals throughout the game. A 22-yard field goal to put the Browns ahead 15-13 with just over two minutes left should have been a chip shot.

Instead, Brown’ offensive lineman Alex Mack nicked Pontbriand’s snap, causing the ball to roll. That made Dawson hesitate and his kick sailed wide left. It was an odd ending for a team that couldn’t get the ball into the end zone all day.

Quarterback Colt McCoy had one of his better games, completing 20-of-27 passes for 218 yards. Running back Chris Ogbannaya had a solid second half, finishing the game with 90 yards on 19 carries. But it was the team’s inability to score a touchdown that doomed the Browns.

The loss drops the Browns to 3-6 while the Rams improve to 2-7.

The Rams went ahead in the game early in the fourth quarter. A fumble on a punt return by Josh Cribbs gave the Rams the ball near the red zone and Josh Brown field goal gave the Rams a 13-12 lead.

Browns vs. Rams Scoring Update: Phil Dawson pushes Cleveland ahead 12-10

2011-11-13T20:20:53Z

Kicker Phil Dawson continues to be the Browns’ only scoring option. He connected on a 27-yard field goal with a minute left in the third quarter to give the Browns a 12-10 lead.

The scoring drive was highlighted by a 32-yard run by Chris Ogbonnaya and a 22-yard, one-handed catch by Benjamin Watson. On the game, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is 18-of-25 passing for 202 yards.

The Rams controlled the ball for much of the start of the third quarter with running back Steven Jackson. After three quarters, Jackson has 20 carries for 98 yards.

The Rams were driving down the field early in the quarter, but Browns linebacker Chris Gocong forced and recovered a Jackson fumble. Gocong is having a nice day, breaking up a pass earlier in the game.

The injuries continue to pile up for the Rams. Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui injured his leg on a Joe Haden tackle on the last play of the quarter. The Rams, who have the ball going into the fourth quarter, have two turnovers on the game.

Browns vs. Rams Injury Update: Rodger Saffold Out With Head Injury

2011-11-13T19:53:09Z

The Rams will be without starting left tackle Rodger Saffold for the remainder of the game after he suffered a head injury.

Initial reports were no more specific about the injury Saffold suffered early in the third quarter.

Early in the third quarter it looked like Rams quarterback Sam Bradford re-injured his ankle when Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin landed on him following a run. Bradford missed just one play.

Browns Vs. Rams Score Update: Big Play For Greg Little Narrows Rams Lead To 10-9

2011-11-13T19:32:26Z

Finally, a Browns wide receiver got separation on a deep route as Colt McCoy completed a 52-yard strike to rookie Greg Little late in the second quarter. The pass set up an eventual 43-yard field goal for Phil Dawson. With the completion to Little, McCoy is having arguably his best half of the season.

On the previous drive the Rams connected on a 29-yard field goal by Josh Brown.

The Browns were able to narrow the lead to 7-6 on a drive that was started by a Scott Fujita interception. Phil Dawson connected on his second field goal of the day, this one for 32 yards. The drive, which started a midfield, at least had some excitement to it. The Browns successfully ran a trick play with Colt McCoy lining up at wide receiver, receiving a pitch and completing a pass to backup quarterback Seneca Wallace.

McCoy is 13-of-19 passing through two quarters for 152 yards. The Browns are behind largely due to their inability to run the ball. Starter Chris Ogbonnaya has 32 yards on nine carries. Little leads the Browns in receiving with four catches for 67 yards.

For the Rams, Sam Bradford has completed 8-of-15 passes for 96 yards a touchdown and an interception.

The Rams will receive the ball to start the third quarter.

Browns Vs. Rams Score Update: Phil Dawson Gives Cleveland 3-0 Lead After First Quarter

2011-11-13T18:41:09Z

On Cleveland's third possession of the game after both teams punted their first possessions, a 20 yard completion from Colt McCoy to Josh Cribbs set up the Browns offense to get into field goal range. After a handful of plays on which the Browns picked up some chunks of yards, the drive stalled out at the Rams 26 yard line and set up a Phil Dawson 44 yard field goal, which he put through the uprights.

The Rams took the ensuing drive into Cleveland territory on 11 plays and will have a red zone opportunity from the Browns' 12 yard line when the second quarter begins (second-and-eight).

Colt McCoy was 5-of-6 for 39 yards in the first quarter. Sam Bradford was 5-of-8 for 67 yards. While the Browns running game has been non-existent (Chris Ogbonnaya has just 13 yards on five carries), Rams running back Steven Jackson has 30 yards on six carries.

St. Louis Rams Injury Report And Inactive List, Week 10: Tight End Lance Kendricks Among Inactive Players For Rams

2011-11-13T17:00:02Z

The St. Louis Rams arrive in Cleveland to take on the Browns in pretty good shape considering it is week ten of the NFL season. While the Browns running game remains hampered by the absence of Peyton Hillis, the Rams largest injury concern will be missing rookie tight end, Lance Kendricks according to the inactive list released by the team.

Kendricks has been ruled out for the Rams with a foot injury, leaving quarterback Sam Bradford with one less option for the game in Cleveland. Bradford was questionable much of the week but improved throughout the week and is expected to start on Sunday.

Joining Kendricks on the inactive list is wide receiver Danario Alexander, but with Mark Clayton expected back in the mix, Bradford will have a familiar target to look for in the passing game.

Here is the full list of inactive players for the Rams:

WR Danario Alexander, TE Lance Kendricks, CB Rod Hood, RB Jerious Norwood, T Jason Smith, LB Josh Hull, LB Bryan Kehl.

Cleveland Browns Injury Report And Inactive List, Week 10: Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty, Mohamed Massaqoui, And T.J. Ward Inactive

2011-11-13T16:43:11Z

The Cleveland Browns released their inactive list for their week ten game today against the St. Louis Rams. As expected, the running game will remain a struggle without the services of Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. Chris Ogbonnaya will get the start in the backfield for the Browns according to the latest information from the team announcing the inactive list.

Also, with wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi inactive, Josh Cribbs will start for the Browns at wide receiver. With the Browns offense struggling to find a rhythm, Cribbs may be a key player to spark some production. Whether through the air on on the ground, Colt McCoy needs to get the ball in the hands of the speedy Cribbs to make something happen.

Here is the full list of inactive players:

#Browns inactives vs. Rams: QB Thaddeus Lewis, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, CB Dimitri Patterson, RB Montario Hardesty, RB Peyton Hillis, S T.J. Ward and C Steve Vallos. Cribbs to start at WR, Ogbonnaya at RB.