The Browns should be counting their blessings for the Bengals victory. Up until the fourth quarter, this game was looking like every other Browns game this season: Ugly. They were lucky enough to meet a team that was in just as much disarray as they were, and were without their starting quarterback.

Make no mistake, not having to face Carson Palmer was a huge boon for the Browns. Palmer is beaten up and the offense has struggled, but this could have been a rally game for him. Instead the Browns faced off against a sluggish Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Browns were able to generate a nice pass rush against Fitzpatrick, who was indecisive in the pocket. While the three sacks they were able to get on the Bengals' backup was nice, Kamerion Wimbley's first sack of the year was definitely a coverage sack. The pressure outside of the sacks was consistent, though.

Offensively, the Browns were just not a cohesive unit. Derek Anderson did just enough to get by, as Dan mentioned in his earlier post. Anderson rallied in the fourth quarter with a touchdown to Braylon Edwards from four yards out that helped smooth over some of his consistency and decision making issues. I'm far from one to say a professional football player can be scared by an opponent, but look at how Anderson avoided throwing toward Chinedum Ndukwe after his third quarter interception. Ndukwe was a terror in the Browns' December 2007 game in Cincinnati that lead to the team missing the playoffs, and he was all over Anderson again.

Anderson probably has kept his job through the bye, but Quinn is lurking. If Romeo Crennel could learn his name, we might see a Brady sighting in the near future.

Game Balls

Offense – Joe Thomas, OLT: Thomas had been struggling this season after a stellar rookie campaign. He was not picking up blockers well on the blitz, and was not sealing off his blocks well in the run game. Both of those were non-issues Sunday. He played extremely well on the ground, and opened up some beautiful holes for Jamal Lewis. Edwards, Jamal Lewis, Donte Stallworth and Kellen Winslow are the playmakers, but Thomas really does keep the offense afloat. Look for him to rebound nicely after this game.

Defense – Mike Adams, SS: On a young secondary that is without leadership right now, Adams stepped up against the Bengals. He had a small day on the stat sheet, but he had a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter which set up Jamal Lewis' one yard touchdown run. Adams' coverage skills kept the Bengals in check, and he was able to help the young corners. Adams' role is keep the pass coverage from being exposed vertically, and he did a good job.

Special Teams – Darnell Dinkins, TE: Dinkins' two special teams tackles were big on Sunday. His last tackle on Glen Holt helped save a much bigger return. He also was a key part of Lewis' fourth quarter touchdown run, sealing off a nice block.

Turning Point

In the fourth quarter with a first and goal on the Bengals' four-yard line, the Browns went to the end zone for Edwards on a fade that didn't connect. It was a close play but Edwards couldn't get his feet down in bounds. Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski showed faith in Edwards, and called a similar play to the opposite side of the field on the next play, which resulted in a touchdown.

About four minutes earlier in the quarter, Edwards was penalized for an unnecessary roughness penalty for a block on the end of a Lewis run. It brought Edwards to four penalties on the year, and on the sideline both Edwards and Anderson appeared to be arguing regarding the play. Edwards is an emotional player who has had a rough season so far, so for Chudzinksi to call his number again on a critical play shows his faith in Edwards.

Last Straw

Browns fans are angry over this victory, and without good reason. Being angry that Quinn hasn't taken the field yet makes little sense. Quinn hasn't taken the field yet because Anderson, as bad he's been this season, still gives the Browns the best shot to win.

He may only be holding on to his job by a thread, but Browns fans should remember what happened with Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb. It was questionable to take Couch's job away from him when injury took him away from his job. Butch Davis' decision to go with Holcomb effectively ruined both quarterbacks careers. Only one of Anderson and Quinn can start at quarterback for the Browns, so let's make sure it's the right guy.

Thoughts on the game? Comment!

In a game with several big name players, in all three phases of the game, out due to injury, it was not pretty. The Browns were manhandled by an aggressive Lions team. The game marked Brady Quinn's first start for the Browns, and it's one he'd like to forget.

Quinn had a rough outing with the aggressive Lions front four, who were creating solid pressure all game. He had very little rhythm with the first team receivers, and overall erratic. Quinn had trouble hitting his receivers in stride, outside of a few quick outs to Stallworth late in the first half.

One thing that gets lost when talking about Quinn vs Anderson is Anderson's poise in the pocket. Anderson can get rid of the ball quickly and is not phased by the pass rush. Quinn, on the other hand, loses all of his mechanics when pressure is in face. Right now, Quinn is not ready to run the Browns offense. As much as he, and many other fans around the area, may not like it, Quinn is still a backup in 2008.

The game lacked much to be excited about. Yes it's the preseason, but a bad preseason coupled with a brutal September schedule could put the Browns in a big deficit. Just a note, no team has ever made the playoffs after starting out 0-3. The Browns need to show something against the Cowboys, Steelers, and Ravens in the first three weeks if they want to be taken seriously as a contender.

Game Balls

Offense – None deserving.

Defense – Shaun Rogers, NT

Rogers presence made a big impact against the ground game. The Giants moved the ball on the ground with ease in Week 2, and the Lions also had more trouble. Kevin Smith's 32-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was on a stretch play to the right side of the defense (More on this later). Rogers split the double team on several plays, and was creating trouble for the Lions interior offensive line. Can Rogers keep it up, though? He's a special talent who can change a game, but Detroit fans know all about that.

Special Teams – Syndric Stepoe, WR/RS

No Cribbs, no problem. Steptoe looked great returning kickoffs, and should help alleviate any worries the team has about Cribbs' high ankle sprain. Cribbs usually gives the Browns great field position on offense, and Steptoe kept it going.

Roster Battle

Defensive End – Melila Purcell vs Chase Pittman

In my 53-man roster prediction piece, I said that Purcell looked unimpressive so far. Well I doubt I can claim responsibility for his play on Saturday, but he showed up. Both Pittman and Purcell had big games against the run. Likely there is only room for one of them. This one could go down to the wire.

Running back – Jerome Harrison vs Travis Thomas/Austin Scott

Harrison should win out this battle, but he's not running away with it. Harrison still cannot pass block, and is a huge liability in that area. He showed some soft hands on passing plays and some wiggle as a runner, but not much else. Both Thomas and Scott have been less than stellar, though neither made any huge mistakes against the Lions.

Outside Linebacker – David McMillan vs Alex Hall

With Willie McGinest out, Hall was given the nod as a starter against the Lions. Against the Giants, McMillan earned the start. Hall is still very raw, but he was applying consistent pressure on the quarterback. His body control is great, and he uses his long frame to his advantage. McMillan had a solid, but not spectacular game. McMillan is fighting for a roster spot, but unless injuries to Peek and McGinest are much more serious, could be on the outside looking in.

Room for Improvement

Kamerion Wimbley, OLB – Wimbley still represents the team's most dynamic playmaker in the defensive front seven, but he runs himself out of too many plays. On Smith's touchdown run, Wimbley had shot so far upfield he was out of the play by his own design. In general, Wimbley overpursues and lacks touch.

D'Qwell Jackson, ILB – The second guilty culprit on the Smith run was Jackson. He cut back inside on the play, and was easily blocked. Jackson had a sophomore slump last year and needs to rebound. He's the front seven's sideline to sideline defender, and excelled versus the run as a rookie in 2006. The Browns need that linebacker to show up again.

Brandon McDonald, CB – McDonald played too soft on Saturday. He was giving receivers a huge cushion. Part of that was the defensive design, but after the catch he was slow to come up and make the tackle.

On the Upswing

Leon Williams, ILB – If Jackson falters, this could be his replacement. With rookie Beau Bell out, the Browns have been experimenting with Williams playing both inside spots. Williams is bigger and stronger against the run than Jackson, and has started to improve his overall game. He's not able to cover like Jackson, but his talent shouldn't be left on the bench. Plus, pairing him next to Wimbley in the base defense more often will help cover up Wimbley's weakness against the run.

Nick Sorensen, FS – A player, again, I had on the bubble, showed up on Saturday. Sorensen made a few nice plays in coverage in the first quarter, and stopped short a few first downs. With the secondary lacking any depth, Sorensen has a shot to stick on the final 53.