Free Republic

The Browns' 33-30 overtime win Sunday was proof the ball is now bouncing their way. A crushing, heartbreaking defeat to the rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday was averted when a controversial, game-tying field goal by Phil Dawson at the end of regulation took a crazy bounce. The 51-yard kick into the wind glanced off the left upright and bounced off a metal support behind the crossbar. The ball then was ejected forward through the goalposts. It looked like a blocked shot in basketball. One field official immediately signaled the kick no good, and the Ravens danced off the field with...

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Sudden turmoil and rumors twisting around the Cleveland Browns led to something factual: their first division win. Dennis Northcutt's 62-yard punt return for a touchdown helped the Browns close a tumultuous final weekend Sunday with a 20-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens, who finished 0-8 on the road. Earlier this season, Northcutt twice brought back punts for TDs only to have them nullified by penalties. But after his third-quarter jaunt, when he reversed field and picked up some blocks, Northcutt checked to be certain there were no penalty flags and waved his arms like an official....

When the NFL finds itself in our topical crosshairs, I don't play favorites. :snip: That's an impressive list of castaways. But it's time to allow the true hatin' to begin: Baltimore Ravens The variables add up in a hurry. Beyond the shaky details of his murder-case involvement, linebacker Ray Lewis gains points with a player-introduction dance that suggests the stun gun is a major prop in Riverdance. Teammate Jamal Lewis has just been released from the hoosegow, which was the reward for allegedly having his cell phone used in a drug deal. The Ravens are thrilled that Jamal doesn't have...