RAMS 26, BROWNS 20

Monday Night Football proved to be quite a spectacle, and the Browns delivered an entertaining game. I hope you stayed up ’til the end, because it was worth it to see the orange-panted ones hang tough against the dynamic Rams. Ultimately though, the Browns lost a battle of attrition by a couple field goals.

Go to the papers for the recap and quotes. I’ll toss in my stray observations as time permits:

— The MNF opening sequence of quick-hitting shots of various players showed Tim Couch four times, Kelly Holcomb none, according to my naked eye. Did they know something the rest of us would only find out later?

— That officiating crew had to be the worst we’ve seen this season. Madden and Michaels were obviously irked by their delays and strange decisions. On Earl Little’s fantastic interception, the referee took too long in the booth, then spotted the ball wrong, then SEVERAL PLAYS LATER reversed his call and declared that the Rams didn’t lose a time out when the interception was upheld because the ball was respotted. Weak.

–The Rams won this game because they pressured the quarterback from start to finish. The Browns’ makeshift line, even with frequent help from Mustard and White, couldn’t cope with the blitz packages, and at least three times, the free man arced around right end to sack the QB. Tough day for stalwart tackle Ryan Tucker.

— Who played extremely well: Jamel White, Orpheus Roye, Brant Boyer, Earl Little

— Who also played well: Anthony Henry, Quincy Morgan, Dennis Northcutt, Tim Couch, Melvin Fowler, Kenard Lang, Daylon McCutcheon.

— Who had a bad game: Kelly Holcomb, obviously. Aeneas Williams gained more yards returning Holcomb’s telegraphed picks than their great WR tandem, Bruce and Holt, gained on their six combined receptions.

— It was the second home loss this year by this score. The first one, to San Diego, gave the Browns a losing record. This one insured it.