Does it ever change?  The Browns lulled themselves to sleep with a horrible offensive performance, suspect run defense, and overall an effort that lacked any fire.  Coming off a huge victory just six days before, the Browns were looking to use this game to continue their rally of the 2008 season.  Instead it became another game that showed how inconsistency can bury a talented football team.

The Browns biggest issue right now is that both Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards are playing poorly.  The Giants game was good for them, but they took two steps back this week.  Anderson had trouble hitting his receivers, and when he did they were getting lit up by defenders.  Anderson has everything you would want in a quarterback, but he has trouble with consistency.  Also, rallying his team from a defecit is not one of his strong points.

Finally on offense, the Browns holy trio of Edwards, Donte Stallworth, and Kellen Winslow were to be on the field, yet the game produced one of the worst passing days all season.  Winslow gutted out a tough performance, but was not on the field much.  Stallworth was targetted a few times, and had a few drops.  Edwards was a whole other ball of wax. 

Anderson's partner in crime, Edwards, has morphed back into his 2006 form.  During that season, Edwards struggled with running good routes, catching easy passes, and mental lapses that cost the team points and turnovers.  Edwards has especially had trouble with comebacks, or any other pass where he's not in motion catching the ball.  He is a dominant wide receiver when he plays crisp (see the two point conversion in the fourth quarter), but that is becoming few and far between anymore.

Game Balls

Offense – Jamal Lewis, RB:  No one else on offense really showed up, and the line had a lackluster effort.  Lewis fought for yards that weren't there in many instances, and gave the Browns a shot late in the game.  The Browns have never lost a game that Lewis gets 25 plus carries in. 

Defense – Sean Jones, SS:  It was nice to the Browns leader of the secondary back after more than a month off due knee surgery.  Jones lead the team in tackles Sunday, and had a forced fumble. 

Special Teams – Dave Zastudil, P:  Zastudil did a good job of pinning the Redskins deep in their own territory, with three punts inside the 20 yard line. 

Turning Point

While we don't have a play book in front of us, the Browns last stand to in the fourth to get into scoring position was proof positive of the issues with Anderson and Edwards.  The two cannot seem to connect on any passes this season unless Aaron Ross trips in front of Edwards.  It's clear that last week's victory against the Giants wasn't a turn for the better.  The two of them shoulder a big part of the Browns offensive troubles.  Edwards cannot be replaced, but Anderson can. 

Last Straw

Shortly after this game, Kellen Winslow admited that he didn't feel like a part of the team.  What's sad is that Winslow is a guy who cares the most.  His passion for the team and winning is clear.  At times, it's easy to wonder if his teammates feel the same way.  Winslow's passion for the Browns shows up on the field, and not many Browns can say that after yesterday's loss.

- Akron Beacon Journal (Marla Ridenour): Capital punishment
- Akron Beacon Journal (Marla Ridenour): Winslow's complaint 'bigger than the game'
- Canton Repository (Steve Doerschuk): Defense improves each week
- News-Herald (Jeff Schudel): Anderson should keep job for another week
- Plain Dealer (Terry Pluto): Browns season quickly becoming pointless
- Richmond Times-Dispatch (Paul Woody): Skins can succeed in survival mode

- What I'm saying today: Really, who didn't expect this to happen? When someone complains to you about being a pessimistic Cleveland sports fan, point to this game. As good as their record may be, the Redskins are a beatable team for the Browns. Apparently, Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and the run defense couldn't figure that out.

Just forget what happened in the fourth quarter. This was embarrassing. Anderson does not look like a starting quarterback. Edwards needs a serious ego (and hand) check. The run defense is just atrocious. Perhaps Kamerion Wimbley should only be in the game during pass rush situations because he's a serious liability against the run.

More on this game to come. Maybe from me, maybe from Luke. Kudos to Leon Williams for a good game and Kellen Winslow for just getting out there.

Oh, before I forget, Romeo Crennel needs to go. It doesn't matter when, this team isn't making the playoffs.

Game time: 4:15 p.m.
Station: CBS
Where: FedEx Field in Washington

Although the Browns improved to 2-3 with Monday night's win against the Giants, this should still be considered a must-win game. Still, in a week, Romeo Crennel went from the hot seat to winning Coach of the Week honors. Derek Anderson went from a benching to Pro Bowl-caliber.

More important, the Redskins went from being a possible Super Bowl contender to a team that lost to the hapless, and previously winless, Rams. So, do the Browns have a chance? Absolutely.

When Cleveland has the ball: Last week, the return of Ryan Tucker on the offensive line was what the team needed to protect Anderson better. It tempered the Giants blitz, allowing Anderson to step up in the pocket and launch passes to Braylon Edwards almost at will. The Redskins don't have much of a pass rush, so the Browns should be able to throw the ball around the field today. However, end Jason Taylor is expected to play, but may not be completely 100 percent.

It should also help the Browns' passing game that Redskins secondary is the walking wounded. Top corner Carlos Rogers has been battling a calf injury and so is Shawn Springs opposite him. Nickel corner Fred Smoot is doubtful with a groin injury.

Tight end Kellen Winlsow is a game-time decision. If he plays, it will open up the running game because Winslow forces linebackers to drop back.

When Washington has the ball: The Redskins are reeling. Star running back Clinton Portis missed a few days of practice this week due to a hip flexor. Talented backup Ladell Betts is out. That means the Browns could see newly signed Redskin Shawn Alexander. Yes, that Shaun Alexander who no other team in the league wanted. No, it's not raining out. That's Shaun Rogers salivating. Still, the Browns gave up 178 yards last week, so if Portis is healthier than the Redskins are letting on, it could be trouble.

The possible return of safety Sean Jones should only make the Browns defense that much better, a week after intercepting three Eli Manning passes last week. Jones could be the key to stopping Redskins tight end Chris Cooley.

Key matchup: Redskins DE Andre Carter vs. Browns LT Joe Thomas. Carter has had a very good season. Since the Redskins haven't had Jason Taylor to get after the passer, Carter is the team's top rush end. He's also very good at stopping the run.

X Factor: Last week, Joshua Cribbs had a very good performance in special teams. He even lined up at quarterback for a play for the Browns' version of the Wildcat formation. Cribbs could be the player who confuses the Redskins the most today, so he'll have to be in top form again this week.

The spread: The Browns are 7.5-point underdogs and the over under is 42.5.

The pick: Browns 27, Redskins 21
The Browns were in top form last week. The Redskins were not. The Browns are finally healthy. The Redskins are not.

It's maybe a little late in the week to for sure if tight end Kellen Winslow will play Sunday, but at least he's back at team facilities. From AP:

Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow has returned to the team, though he has not been cleared to practice after being hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.

Winslow was seen walking the hallway in the Browns' headquarters Thursday. Coach Romeo Crennel says the Pro Bowler might practice Friday as Cleveland continues preparing for Sunday's game in Washington.

Winslow fell ill last week and spent three nights in the Cleveland Clinic. He was discharged Sunday but was inactive for Cleveland's 35-14 upset of the New York Giants on Monday.

Now the real question becomes do the Browns actually need him on Sunday? The offense ticked against a stellar Giants defense and Steve Heiden is a much better run blocker.

Also, anyone else hear the Eagles inquired about sending the Browns a first-round draft pick for Winslow on Tuesday? While it's not a trade the team should make, it is interesting.

Also interesting is this column Patrick McManamon wrote today.

It took me almost a day to come to the realization that the Browns did defeat the reigning Super Bowl Champions, and second to last undefeated team left in the NFL.  What a victory it was for the struggling Browns, and in the words of Braylon Edwards "…it's a whole new season for us."

The Browns came together perfectly, in their best overall team outing of the season.  The offense showed the high powered capability of the 2007 season, the Browns defense was opportunistic and made stops at critical times, and they beat the Giants in nearly every phase of the game.  It comes at the right time, as the Browns can use this win as a rallying point for what was looking like a lost season just a few days ago.

The play of Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards, both maligned by every person with a keyboard in front of them, carried the offense while Kellen Winslow was out.  Anderson played with more confidence and "swagger," and was distributing the ball well to his receivers.  Edwards was able to show off his ability to beat aggressive press coverage, and played more like the dominant receiver of 2007.

The attitude was set by the aggressive play calling of offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinki.  Lost in all of the criticism of the offense was that Chudzinski wasn't showing the same aggressive flair as he did in 2007 as a rookie coordinator.  He used several new looks and plays, including the trendy Wildcat formation that is sweeping the NFL.   Chudzinski called an excellent game.

On defense the Browns had trouble stopping the run, but were able to force Eli Manning into bad decisions.  The consistent pressure put on by the defensive line caused Manning to overthrow his receivers, push balls into coverage, and lose confidence.  The Browns defense has been hit hard with injuries, but they are currently eighth in the NFL in points allowed per game, and seventeenth in total defense.

Why criticize a win?  Sure there was mistakes, but the scoreboard didn't show how much the Browns really controlled this contest.  This game was not close.

Game Balls

Offense -Ryan Tucker, ORT:  With the offense sputtering, Tucker's return from a hip injury was a blessing.  He looked to be in top form, throwing key blocks on Jamal Lewis' second quarter touchdown run, along with Darnell Dinkins receiving touchdown in the same quarter.  Tucker brings a nasty streak that the line had been lacking without him in the lineup.  He did a good job of containing the agile Justin Tuck, who is arguably one of the best pass rushing left ends in the game.  Tucker may not stay at tackle much longer if Kevin Shaffer is given his job back after he returns from a concussion, but in that case Tucker likely moves back to right guard.

Defense -Brandon McDonald, CB:  While his first full season as a starter began rough against Terrell Owens, McDonald has been growing rapidly on the job.  He is quickly becoming the secondary's most consistent defender while Sean Jones is out.  His ball skills are solid, and he's fearless against receivers of any size.  McDonald gave Plaxico Burress fits all game long.

Special Teams -In a game where Dave Zastudil never had to punt and Cribbs only had two combined returns, no one was on the field long enough to hand out a game ball.

Turning Point

When Manning threw the fourth quarter interception to Eric Wright, which was returned 94 yards for a touchdown, it took all of the life out of the Giants quarterback.  The Giants had been consistently pushing the ball with the ground game, but down two touchdowns with roughly eight minutes left in the game, that touchdown could have rallied them.  Wright deflated any confidence the shaky Manning had built up on that drive, and put a nail in the coffin for the Giants.

Last Straw

No matter how it is sliced, the Browns won.  Victories in the NFL don't come easy, and aren't always pretty.  Rebuilding the confidence of a team that has been shaken up by the national media is key.  Head coach Romeo Crennel is potentially fighting for his job if the team slides into mediocrity again, but they have slowly started to crawl out of the abyss.  Let's hope that the upward trend continues against the Redskins this weekend.

Thoughts on the Browns upset victory?  Comment.

-Akron Beacon Journal (Patrick McManamon): Win could lead to bigger, better things
-Columbus Dispatch (Bill Rabinowitz): Pushovers no more
-New York Post (Paul Schwartz): Blunder-ful defeat ends pursuit of perfection
-New York Post (Steve Serby): Eli & Co. blue it big in Cleveland
-New York Times (Jonathan Abrams): Giants Doomed by a lost connection
-Plain Dealer (Terry Pluto): Scribbles following Browns game
-Plain Dealer (Bud Shaw): Swagger indeed

What I'm saying today: First, thanks to everyone who stopped by for the live blog. It was a lot of fun.

The game was certainly entertaining, but the final score is deceiving. Still, Derek Anderson looked good, Braylon Edwards made a lot of big plays and Jamal Lewis was running hard. I'll have more thoughts throughout the week and Luke may as well.

The live blog will begin at 7:30. Join in, so I'm not completely talking to myself!

While the good news is that Kellen Winslow has been released from the hospital, he's likely out of tonight's Monday Night Football game against the Giants.  This is all pure speculation, but apparently Winslow's mystery illness was enlarged testicles (allegedly).  Let's just hope Winslow feels better, and leave it at that.

Are the Browns this year's Giants?  D'Qwell Jackson says that they are looking up to Giants.  The Giants started the 2007 season 0-2, and went on to win the Super Bowl against the then undefeated New England Patriots.

While they could easily do so, the Giants aren't looking past the Browns.  The Giants have been dominating opponents, but have only played one team with a winning record thus far.

In what should be a welcome return, Ryan Tucker should get the starting nod at right tackle this week.  The only problem is he has to face off with Giants stud left end Justin Tuck.  Tuck is exactly the kind of powerful, quick end that Tucker has struggled with throughout his career.  Kevin Shaffer, injured or not, has been bad this season, so I'm excited to see Tucker back in his familiar spot.

One quick note:  the broadcasters likely won't talk about this tonight, but the whole shakedown of Eli Manning becoming a Giant has a key to the Browns.  In his book, The GM, Tom Callahan discusses that former Giants general manager Ernie Acorsi had struck a deal with then Browns head coach/overlord Butch Davis to trade the fouth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft for the Browns seventh overall pick, and then their second round choice.  The Browns were supposedly trading up to select the late Miami (FL) free safety Sean Taylor.  Acorsi was nervous as draft day grew that Davis could be actually moving up to select Philip Rivers, and then broker a trade with the Chargers for Eli Manning, so he nixed the deal and did it himself.  Interesting how things could have turned out!

On Monday night, I'll be live-blogging the Browns/Giants game, just for kicks. Join the fun as the Browns hopefully play competitively.

For those of us who religiously watch the NFL Transaction Wire, it was a bit of a surprise today to see the Browns part ways wide receiver and former Bowling Green standout Steve Sanders.  The team released him, along with deleting rookie Travis Key from the practice squad. 

Replacing Sanders on the 53-man-roster was former Bronco safety Hamza Abdullah.  Abdullah is a veteran who started eight games in 2007 for Denver.  He's pretty much the same as the other safeties the Browns have right now:  special teams players with limited coverage skills.  It would be surprising if he finishes the year on the Browns.

In other less than thrilling news, Kellen Winslow is sick, and not in the good way.  The Browns star tight end has missed two practices and was sent to the doctor.  It's possible it's just the flu or some other bug, so don't go overboard with this one.

And finally, are you unsure of what to vote for?  Brady Quinn and Joe Thomas say vote John McCain.  The 2007 first round picks were at a rally in Strongsville, OH to support the Republican Senator.