NFL WEEK 15 Must-win game isn't

Indianapolis quarterbackPeyton Manning found holesin Cleveland's defense.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
CLEVELAND -- In a game that everyone in the organization described as "must win," the Cleveland Browns did everything but win.
Cleveland (7-7) gave away all of a 16-point halftime lead and still had an opportunity to win the game in the final minute, but Tim Couch's fourth down pass into the end zone fell incomplete, allowing the Indianapolis Colts to escape with a 28-23 victory Sunday.
The loss put a severe dent into the Browns' postseason hopes. Coupled with the Steelers' win, Cleveland's chances for a division title are almost eliminated. Going into Week 16 of the season, four AFC teams are ahead of the Browns in the wild card race and four others match their 7-7 record.
Win and wait
"We've come this far on character and guts and guys refusing to lose," said Cleveland coach Butch Davis. "We've been through tough times and adversity and there's no reason for us not to make every effort we can to try to win these last two [games] and see what 9-7 gets us."
Davis said he couldn't have asked for a better first half than the Browns turned in Sunday, when they scored on the first play from scrimmage -- a 78-yard pass Tim Couch to Quincy Morgan -- and harassed Colts quarterback Peyton Manning en route to a 16-0 lead at the intermission.
Couch also connected with Kevin Johnson for a 30-yard score later in the first quarter, after Manning was intercepted by Darren Hambrick.
But the Colts turned to a no-huddle attack in the second half and had the Cleveland defense on its heels throughout.
Back-up running back James Mungro rushed for 74 yards and two touchdowns, and Manning was 15-for-21 for 212 yards and a pair of scores.
"For [Manning] to call every single play is just incredible," said Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd. "Every coverage has a weakness and to be smart enough, even though we were disguising it, to find where the hole is, as Peyton did, is unbelievable."
Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison caught nine passes for 172 yards and both scores. He set the single season record for receptions -- with two games remaining, he has 127.
"The way he practiced it just felt like he was going to come up with a big day," said Colts coach Tony Dungy. "He was geared up all week and ready to go."
Indianapolis scored touchdowns on two of its first three possessions of the second half, cutting the Browns lead to 16-14.
Cleveland answered with William Green's 2-yard run with 14:33 remaining in the game for a 23-14 lead.
Directed drives
But Manning directed two more scores on ensuing possessions. First he found Harrison all alone on a slick play-action pass for a 3-yard score with 11:30 remaining. Then Mungro ran in from the 3 with 6:46 to go, giving the Colts their first lead of the game.
"The running game has been just about the biggest factor for everybody," said Davis, "especially in their case, since they feed off the play-action."
After an exchange of punts, the Browns made their final push, starting from the Indianapolis 48. After two incompletions and a penalty, Couch hit Kevin Johnson for 14 yards, bringing up fourth down and 1. Jamel White rushed for 8 yards, giving Cleveland a first down at the Colts 31.
Couch passed to Morgan for 5 yards and White for 8, then the Colts' Walt Harris was penalized for pass interference at the 10 with 1:23 remaining.
Couch's first pass was incomplete, then he scrambled for 5 yards. His third down pass was knocked down by defensive tackle Josh Williams.
On fourth down, Couch's directed his receivers to run crossing patterns in the end zone, but Andre & acute; Davis dropped the pass along the end line.
"I didn't see if it was tipped or [Davis] dropped it, but they had a lot of guys in coverage," said Couch. "I thought about running, but they had a linebacker sitting right at the goal line. I don't think I would have made it in.
"We did well offensively," he continued. "We ran the ball well, we threw the football effectively. We just didn't have quite enough to get it done."