Cleveland Wins Shootout, Defeat Titans
By Michelle Manson December 30, 2001

In a game dominated by offensive, the Cleveland Browns had the upperhand Sunday afternoon at Adelphia Coliseum, defeating the Titans by a final score of 41-38.

Cleveland got things going first, as Juwan Dawson caught a 33-yard touchdown reception from Tim Couch on the Browns first series of the game.

Fullback Mike Green tied the score at seven on a wild, 17-yard run. Green fumbled the ball on about the five-yard line, but the ball bounced right back into his hands, resulting in a touchtown for the Titans. The run marked Green's first career rushing touchdown.

The Browns regained the lead with just over four minutes left to go in the quarter, on a 19-yard touchdown reception by O.J. Santiago from Couch.

Phil Dawson gave the Browns what would be the last points of the game for either team, with a game-winning 43-yard field goal with exactly one minute left in the game.

Tennessee once again notched the score right before the end of quarter, after a Kevin Dyson 40-yard reception from Steve McNair.

The Titans and Browns once again traded scores in the second quarter.

Kicker Phil Dawson put the Browns up by three at 17-14, after a successful 30-yard field goal attempt.

McNair gave the Titans their first lead of the game, after connecting with wide receiver Derrick Mason for a 59-yard touchdown reception.

Tennessee's quarteback had another impressive performance today versus the Browns, after missing almost another full week of practice due to injuries and personal reasons.

McNair finshed 16 of 25 for 274 yards and two touchdowns. He has now completed a touchdown pass in twelve straight games, three behind Warren Moon's franchise record of fifteen.

Cleveland running back Jamel White gave the Browns another three point lead after a one-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.

The Titans, however, behind the leg of kicker Joe Nedney once again evened the score before the end of the half. Nedney connected on a 31-yarder with two seconds left to go.

The offensive production of the first half was not quite as prominant in the second. However, both teams had their share of scores.

Running back Eddie George put the only points on the board for either team in the third quarter, after a 7-yard touchdown run.

George increased the Titans lead to 38-24 at the start of the fourth quarter, on his second touchdown run of the game, this time for 20 yards.

The Titans leading rusher had what was unquestionably his best game of the year today. George finished the day with 26 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns. This marked the first time all season George has rushed for 100 yards.

A fourteen-point lead was not to be enough for the Titans. Cleveland came within seven on a White 3-yard touchdown run. The Browns notched the score at 38 on their next possession with a 4-yard touchdown reception by Kevin Johnson from Couch.

Couch finished the day with 336 yards and three touchdowns, while Cleveland's compiled 409 yards of total offense. The Browns had four receivers with over 50 yards for the game.

Phil Dawson gave the Browns what would be the last points of the game for either team, with a game-winning 43-yard field goal with exactly one minute left in the game.

Green summed up the Titans loss after the game, by complimenting a stellar performance by the offense that just wasn't quite enough.

'Our offense has been hot for two weeks,' Green said. 'We didn't expect it to be a shootout, and we couldn't close it out. We did some great things, we just didn't make the plays when we needed them.'

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was less than pleased with the effort of his defensive unit. Missed assignments and tackles proved to be a hurdle the Titans defense couldn't quite overcome.

'We didn't play well the whole game,' Schwartz said. 'We were poor on third downs, we let them run the ball, we let them pass the ball. There is nothing good to say about this one.'

'It was especially disappointing after playing (Rich) Gannon last week and (Brett) Favre the week before that, and then coming in here and giving this kind of performance against this group.'

Cornerback Samari Rolle echoed the feelings of his coach.

'Maybe we were overconfident from the past two weeks, beating the Packers and Raiders,' Rolle said. 'Or maybe we Cleveland was just the better team.'

The Titans will look to finish the season 8-8 next week when they face the Cincinnati Bengals in the season finale at Adelphia Coliseum.

Head coach Jeff Fisher knows he must get his team focused for one last game, and then look to improve immediately once the offeseason begins.

'From a momentum standpoint, we're going to have to look at this game and find some positives,' Fisher said. 'We are all going to have to realize that we have a week left of work.'

Defensive tackle Jason Fisk, who had two sacks in today's game, reiterated Coach Fisher's words.

'I think we are all professionals,' Fisk said. 'We approach each game to win. We're going to regroup and figure out what went wrong. We'll come out ready to play next week.'