Browns Beat Steelers, Save Mangini

In the off-season the Cleveland Browns quickly scooped up the former New York Jets coach, Eric Mangini. Then they did the unheard of in hiring him, even before they filled their GM opening. Like that wasn't insane enough, the geniuses that run the Browns decided to let Mangini pick the new GM. After the Browns horrible start to the season, they quickly got rid of the new GM and many experts stated that Mangini could very well follow him out the door at the end of the season.

The Browns came into Thursday's night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a pathetic (1-11) record. During most of their games this season, they haven't even been competitive. The Pittsburgh Steelers had lost their last four games after starting the season (6-2). The defending Super Bowl Champions needed a win Thursday night in the worst possible way. Isn't playing the Cleveland Browns just what the doctor ordered? Forget the fact that the Steelers gave away games to the Chiefs and the Raiders. They have owned Cleveland ever since the Browns came back into the league in 1999. The Steelers had beaten the Browns the last 12 times they played! Evidently, not even playing against the Browns will save the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.

The Browns surprised the Steelers and the rest of the NFL by pulling of a 13-6 victory Thrusday night. At one point the Browns were leading this game 13-0. They found a way to pull of the win without Brady Quinn even passing for 100 yards.

The Browns were carried by Joshua Cribbs, and quite possibly their greatest defensive game in the past couple of years. Cribbs broke off a 55-yard punt return and 87 yards rushing on only 8 carries. You might need to read this next part a couple of times, for the information to truly set in. The Cleveland defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger eight times! Corey Williams and Marcus Benard had 2 sacks a piece. The Browns signed Marcus Benard off of their practice squad on November 10th . The game against the Steelers was only his third career NFL game.

By pulling off a victory over their long time rival, the Cleveland Browns have more than likely saved coach Eric Mangini's job. Yes, that really is about all it takes to give Mangini one more season to make progress with the team.