Browns Defeat Colts, 23-17, as Pagel Makes It Look Easy

Mike Pagel didn’t realize how simple it can be to play quarterback in the National Football League.

“It was easy,” Cleveland’s third-string quarterback said Monday night after he passed for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Browns past the Indianapolis Colts, 23-17.

Pagel, starting because of injuries to Bernie Kosar and Gary Danielson, was the Browns’ third starting quarterback in 3 games. It was his first start since 1985, when he was with the Colts.

“The game plan tonight was perfect,” he said. “The line did a great job. The receivers made the adjustments when they had to. The backs ran hard. I just had to stand back there and throw.”

Pagel, 28, completed 23 of 38 passes, including first-half touchdowns of 14 yards to Ozzie Newsome and 17 yards to Webster Slaughter. They were the first 2 touchdowns of the year for Cleveland (2-1), and Newsome got his first since 1986.

Matt Bahr added field goals of 21, 29 and 40 yards for the Browns, sending Indianapolis to its third straight defeat.

Cleveland’s defense virtually shut down Eric Dickerson in the second half after he gained more than 100 yards in the first 2 quarters.

“In the second half, they kept the ball. It was just a matter of ball control, and we didn’t get a chance to get it,” said Dickerson, who also fumbled to set up a Cleveland field goal. “I’m not a good loser.”

Dickerson broke free for a 41-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that tied the game, 10-10. He ran for 104 yards in 14 carries in the first half but added only 13 yards in 8 carries in the second half.