The veteran QB gets everybody involved in two long scoring drives using the no-huddle. Carolina's penalties are killing them.
View full sizePeyton Hillis dives past the pylon for his second touchdown of the first quarter Sunday afternoon as the Browns took a 14-7 lead over Carolina at Cleveland Browns Stadium.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Observations, opinions and some facts on the first quarter:
• Panthers put ball in hands of running back Tom Goodson four times in a row to start the game. He gets 20 yards.
• Jimmy Clausen looked like he'd never seen pass pressure before. On second pass, Matt Roth's all over him and Clausen heaves it out of bounds for intentional grounding.
• Clausen comes right back with bullet to Steve Smith for 15 yards. Shaun Rogers' blow-to-the-head tacks on 15 more. Panthers have first down at Browns' 26.
• Goodson blasts over right tackle and keeps right on going to the end zone. T.J. Ward got one hand on him as he left his feet trying to make a tackle. Geez. Sloppy tackling continues.
• Josh Cribbs takes Carolina kickoff. Doesn't seem to have the same zip. Tackled after 16-yard return.
• Browns starting Floyd Womack at right guard and John St. Clair at right tackle. Jake Delhomme comes out throwing in the no-huddle. He completes his first five passes. Even Brian Robiskie gets two.
• From the 8, Browns get tricky. Halfback option pass from Peyton Hillis for wide open Benjamin Watson is in the end zone dirt. Then Delhomme avoids sack by flicking the ball away. Almost intercepted by Tyler Brayton. Delhomme flagged for grounding because the pass didn't reach the line of scrimmage.
• On third-and-goal from the 19, Panthers called for a helmet-to-helmet hit on incomplete pass for Evan Moore in the end zone. Big break. No messing around this time. Hillis runs around left end and dives to the cone for a 9-yard TD run.
• Newly signed Eric Alexander makes his second tackle on a Browns kickoff. He replaced injured Blake Costanzo.
• Sheldon Brown stays down hurt after tackle on Goodson. He has to leave for one play. Meanwhile, Browns crank up the pass rush on Clausen, forcing feeble throws and a punt.
• In two series, Delhomme has attempted passes to seven different players. He's mixing it up nicely.
• Panthers' defense killing itself with penalties on third down. Three times they've kept themselves on the field with penalties.
• Hillis completes 64-yard drive with 1-yard TD run. That's his second of game and 10th of year -- most since Kevin Mack in 1986.
• Browns defense definitely woke up after giving up that first score.
• Delhomme has them on the move again deep into Panthers' territory.