Cleveland-Pittsburgh: Second Quarter Action

I had an inspirational bit here. It was a message of hope for Pittsburgh fans. It was a message of joy. It was a window to the soul through which Steelers fans could envision both inner beauty and a comeback.

Then Dennis Northcutt ran back the punt for a TD. 21-0 Browns.

I had a beautiful bit here. It was a message of hope for Pittsburgh fans. It was a message of joy. It was a window to the soul through which Steelers fans could envision both inner beauty and a comeback.

Then Dennis Northcutt ran back the punt for a TD. 21-0 Browns.

Update #1: Okay, I stepped away for a few minutes to clean and tend to my cat. What did I miss?

Oh. Oh, I see.

Congratulations to the Browns on their field goal, running TD, and 62 yard punt.

Condolences to the Steelers for their fumble and 24 yard field goal. 31-3 Browns.

Hey, Pittsburgh, did I mention tonight is Test Pattern Night on WPCW? Why don't you flip over now and check that out? I hear Cris Collinsworth doesn't tell you why your quarterback can't change his own diaper on that station. He certainly doesn't present a wonderful series of play breakdowns to illustrate said point over there.

Update #2: Najeh Davenport just limped off the field with the assistance of the training staff at the two-minute warning.

uhm.



Hey! Look! A shiny thing!

Bryant Gumbel calls him "No-Date Davenport," I think. What's the prep work like, Bryant? Do you read the rosters of *both* teams? Very thorough of you.

Update #3: Bill Cowher appears to have just remembered how he lost his favorite stuffed animal, Pilly the caterpillar, when he was 7 and the sudden realization of just how much Pilly meant to him may crush his soul.

Or he may have glanced down the depth chart and seen Super John Kuhn from Sarsaparilla State as his sole remaining running back. Jerome Bettis, please pick up a white courtesy phone. Jerome Bettis...

Update #4: Bets will be taken for the next 60 seconds on Gumbel calling Kuhn "Bowie".

Okay then. That's positive; Bill has the confidence in Dan Kreider to hand off to him inside the 20 with 1:37 left in the half.

Of course, Dan fumbles it to Brodney Pool, who runs it back 87 yards for a touchdown. Still, it's good to see Bill had confidence in the veteran.

(Pittsburgh fans, don't read the rest of this post.)

38-3 Browns.

Update #5: Super John Kuhn, special teams god, gets the handoff from Ben and manages to come out both alive and in possession of the ball. The parade for Kuhn starts at noon tomorrow in front of Heinz Field.

Halftime from a merciful and benevolent higher being. I will be away at half, answering suicide prevention hotline calls from the 412 area code.