Even a plane stuck in the mud would not deter the Cleveland Browns from helping their rookie head coach, Pat Shurmur earn his first NFL victory.
Behind running back Peyton Hillis’ two touchdown runs and quarterback Colt McCoy’s 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Evan Moore, Cleveland (1-1) would defeat Indianapolis (0-2) 27-19.
After letting a 17-13 lead slip through their fingers against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the Browns came out and went back to basics as Hillis would rush for 94 yards on 27 carries.
McCoy would go 22-of-32 for 211 yards and throw a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Evan Moore. Browns wide receiver Mohammed Massaqoui would lead Cleveland wide receivers with 45 yards receiving.
The Browns would also be able to cause turnovers on defense as safety Usama Young would intercept Colts quarterback Kerry Collins and defensive end Jabaal Sheard would cause a fumble and recover it—and have it stripped from him— a replay review would later show that he his right knee was down.
Collins would finish by going 19-of-38 for 191 yards, Collins would toss a late touchdown to Colts tight end Dallas Clark to bring the Colts to within eight at 27-19 with 24 seconds left.
Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne would have a quiet game as he would be held to only four catches for 66 yards.
Colts running back Joseph Addai would have a modest game by rushing for 64 yards on 14 carries. Colts rookie running back Delone Carter—an Akron, Ohio native—would rush for 48 yards on 11 carries including an impressive 18-yard run.
For Cleveland, the young Browns and their rookie head coach now get to celebrate their first—of hopefully many—wins together.
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