Browns vs Bengals!

The sun beat down on FirstEnergy Stadium as 70,000 fans filed into the stands on an unseasonably hot Cleveland afternoon. Week 2 was here, and the Browns looked to build on an opening win against Jacksonville. But a difficult task loomed in the rival Cincinnati Bengals.

Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer had his squad focused all week on the details necessary to emerge victorious. "The Bengals will come ready to battle. We must be flawless in our execution on both sides of the ball," he stressed. Schottenheimer knew controlling time of possession would be vital against Cincinnati's fierce defense. 

On offense, all eyes were on rookie starting quarterback Tom Brady in his first season leading the attack. The young signal caller showed flashes of brilliance in Week 1 but also some consistency issues holding onto the ball too long against pressure. Schottenheimer emphasized taking what the defense gave and avoiding devastating sacks.

Defensively, coordinator George Edwards preached discipline against the star RB Corey Dillon and the young QB Akili Smith. "No busted coverages or missed tackles. Make them drive the length of the field," Edwards demanded.

As kickoff approached, Schottenheimer called his team together. "Focus on your job, trust your teammates, and finish every play. Now let's go get this win, Browns!" 

The opening kick deep to returner Dante Hall signaled the game was underway. Both sides initially felt each other out with short plays as temperatures continued rising. The heat seemed to favor the more physical Bengals up front.

Midway through the first quarter, defensive tackle Roderick Coleman whiffed on a blitz pickup, allowing Corey Dillon to hurdle him en route to a 20-yard gain. Two plays later, Akili Smith lofted a back-shoulder throw to TE Marco Battaglia for a 7-0 Cincinnati lead. 

Schottenheimer knew his revamped offensive line, with three new starters, would be tested. But allowing quick scores was unacceptable. Brady led the offense back out, looking for answers against the Bengals' fierce pass rush. 

A few patient runs established breathing room before Brady hit TE Mark Campbell on a seam route for a 28-yard gain. "They're getting antsy with the blitz, we can exploit that," Brady told his coaches on the sideline. 

Two plays later, the quarterback found stud wideout Laveranues Coles on a post for a 30-yard touchdown. The game was tied at 7 after Dante Hall burst through the return unit on the ensuing kickoff for an electrifying 100-yard score.

The always-aggressive Bengals weren't phased. Dillon gashed the Browns repeatedly with his elusiveness, picking up first down after first down. By the end of the first quarter, Cincinnati was in scoring position again at the 15-yard line. 

Schottenheimer called timeout. "We've got to stand tall here, men. Leave it all on the field," he implored his defense. But on the next snap, rookie left guard Everett Lindsay was no match for DT Glenn Steele, who shot into the backfield instantly for an easy sack-safety. The Bengals regained the lead 9-7. 

Well into the second quarter, Brady and the offense aimed to answer once more. A precise series of intermediate passes moved them methodically down the field. But on third down from the 25-yard line, offensive tackle Willie Anderson blew by Everett Lindsay and decked Brady for the sack, forcing a 53-yard field goal attempt that clanked off the upright.

Cincinnati maintained possession with a short field. Schottenheimer fumed on the sidelines, knowing his struggling line was the sole reason for being behind. Three straight runs by Dillon moved the chains before Smith lofted a perfect fade route touchdown to WR Peter Warrick for a 16-7 lead.

Time was running out in the half. Brady took over at his own 20 with two timeouts and 80 yards to cover. Coolly dodging pressure in the pocket, he located Laveranues Coles three times in a row for gains of 15, 12 and 28 yards. 

With under a minute remaining, Brady scrambled away from a blitzer and heaved a prayer downfield that Hall wrestled away from two defenders for a 45-yard score. 16-14 Cincinnati at the break. 

In the locker room, Schottenheimer addressed his men. "We're in this thanks to Brady's gunslinging and Hall's big plays on returns. But that line must protect better or we don't stand a chance. Dig deep - there's 30 minutes to gut this out!"

The game was far from over. But Brady and the Browns' offense would need to overcome their porous O-line if they hoped to surge ahead in the second half.

To be continued...