Bengals... 19 Browns... 14
CINCINNATI -- With Derek Anderson struggling to find his touch on a windy afternoon, the Cleveland Browns threw away a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in five years.
No surprise, really. Nothing comes easy to these guys.
Anderson’s consecutive interceptions set up two rapid-fire touchdowns late in the first half, and he threw four in all, helping the Cincinnati Bengals get a 19-14 victory that left the Browns scrambling for a playoff spot.
Cleveland (9-6) could have clinched with a victory over the down-and-out Bengals (6-9), who had nothing more than pride on the line and several starters out because of injuries. The Browns acted more like the team playing it out.
They dropped passes. They botched a field-goal attempt. They came up short on fourth and short. Ultimately, they couldn’t overcome a bad game by Anderson.
He tied his career high with the four interceptions, leaving the Browns scuffling with Tennessee for a wild-card berth.
Quoteworthy: “We’ve got to correct a few mistakes. It’s not time to put our heads down and sulk.” -- Joe Jurevicius, Browns receiver
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