SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 24, 2010
Linebacker David Bowens returned two Drew Brees interceptions for touchdowns and the Cleveland Browns used some trickery to pull off a stunning 30-17 victory over the host New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon.
Phil Dawson kicked three field goals for the Browns (2-5), who won despite being outgained 392-210.
Bowens intercepted and harassed Brees in the backfield and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown late in the first half that provided the Browns (2-5) with a 20-3 halftime lead. Bowens sealed the verdict when he returned Brees' fourth interception of the game 64 yards for a touchdown with 3:33 left in the game for a 30-10 edge.
Brees finished 37 of 56 for 354 yards and two touchdowns for the Saints (4-3), who were coming off their best game of the season, a 31-6 thrashing of Tampa Bay.
Cleveland made the most of 119 yards of offense in the first half. The Browns used a reverse on a punt return with Joshua Cribbs and Eric Wright for a 69 yard gain that set up Dawsonกฏs 21-yard field goal that opened the scoring.
A 38-yard pass-interference call on safety Malcolm Jenkins set up Peyton Hillisกฏ 4-yard score with 6:48 left in the first quarter that pushed the lead to 10-0. Then a fake punt by Cleveland punter Reggie Hodges run straight up the middle for 68 yards set up another short field goal by Dawson.
A fourth-quarter halfback pass from Hillis to quarterback Colt McCoy converted a third down in New Orleans territory that set up Dawsonกฏs 48-yarder for a 23-10 lead with 5:55 left.
McCoy was 9-of-16 passing for 74 yards.