Browns 51, Bengals 45
When we all sat down to watch this game, we had no idea we would get this.

That lede could have been used after last week's loss. But this week, the Browns shocked us -- and in a good way. During the past week, I talked to a number of Browns fans, some of whom are optimistic by nature.

But not one of them told me they expected the Browns to win -- let alone put up 51 points against the Bengals.

For my part, I tried to preach patience. But I couldn't envision a scenerio where the Browns would win. They might keep it close into the fourth quarter, but that was it.

No one's ready to call Derek Anderson a long term starter. But for one day, he looked like one. He made a few bad passes, and was intercepted on the first play of the second half.

But he was more effective than he has ever been in his life. The numbers are amazing. He threw for 328 yards. He threw five touchdowns. He didn't get sacked.

Anderson played very well, but the Browns would have lost if Jamal Lewis doesn't provide a Lewis-vs.-Browns defense type day.

He got the ball 27 times, and ran for more than 200 yards. The offensive line pushed effectively for the first time since 2002, and Lewis rewarded their effort.

Now go back and read that paragraph.

Nihar Vasavada (who somehow survived the picks this week thanks to a late Denver timeout) asked me if I'm concerned about the defense.

Of course.

But this is what the Bengals do. They force you into shootouts with a high octane offense and hope to wear you out.

It was strikingly similar to Butch Davis' last game as Browns coach -- a 58-48 Bengals win in Cincinnati. The Browns survived this game because they turned the ball over once, and Carson Palmer was picked twice. The Bengals also lost a fumble.

Romeo Crennel has his first win over the Bengals. Here's one thing that can be said for Crennel: His teams always show up when it appears they are destructing.

-In 2005, Phil Savage was rumored to be fired after one season as general manager. No one knew who was leading the Browns, and for how long. The Browns responded by winning their last game of the season, a tight victory over the Ravens.

- Last season, the Browns lost a game in the final seconds at home against Pittsburgh, then were blown out by Cincinnati. A frustrated Braylon Edwards and Charlie Frye appeared to almost get into a fight on the sidelines. Phil Savage said Crennel's job was safe, but most were skeptical. Cleveland responded by rallying to beat the Chiefs in overtime.

- Then, this past week. A radio personality referred to Crennel as "Head Coach Walking." The Browns traded their week one starting quarterback to Seattle. Fans and media speculated the organization was a mess. The Browns responded by beating the Bengals for the first time since 2004.

Now another test. Oakland has been surprisingly competitive in its first two games. The Browns haven't won consecutive games in Crennel's tenure. Next week would be a good time to change that.