NOTEBOOK | Browns vs. Redskins

Playmakers: Receiver Andre' Davis led the Browns with three catches for 93 yards, including a 37-yard reception in the second quarter. Redskins receiver Laveranues Coles made seven catches for 122 yards. Coles' teammate, running back Clinton Portis, is accustomed to making big plays, but he was held to 58 yards on 20 carries (2.9 average) by the Browns defense.
Fourth-down situation: The biggest play of the first half came late in the second quarter when Washington executed a fourth-and-6 from the Browns' 37-yard line. With the Browns applying serious pressure, Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell found Coles wide open over the middle. "We had eight guys coming," Browns linebacker Andra Davis said, "and he just threw the ball up." The 30-yard gain put Washington at the 7-yard line, from where Portis needed two plays to run into the end zone for the Redskins' 10-3 lead with 4:48 remaining in the half.
Trickery: Leading 17-13, the Browns attempted a fake field goal on fourth-and-4 from Washington's 28-yard line with 2:21 remaining in the game. Holder Derrick Frost took the snap and began running around right end, only to be stopped for a 1-yard gain. Coach Butch Davis' decision was based on field position, he said. Kicking a 45-yard field goal into the wind may have pushed Phil Dawson's limit. Had Dawson missed, Washington would have gained possession around its 35. "It's a calculated risk, but you might score a touchdown and put a knife in their heart," Davis said.
Speaking of kickers: Dawson extended his consecutive field goals made streak to 18, which is currently the longest in the NFL. He kicked a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter.
Sitting it out: Browns players declared inactive for Sunday's game were James Jackson (RB), Gerard Warren (DL), Kirk Chambers (OL), Ryan Tucker (OL), Bo Lacy (OL), Richard Alston (WR) and Corey Jackson (DL).
Best darn band: The Ohio State University Marching Band did what the Buckeyes' football team couldn't Saturday night in an overtime loss to Northwestern: Please its fans. The band performed the national anthem for the Browns' game and took the field again at halftime to a rousing ovation. Including Sunday, OSU has performed at Browns games four times over the last five seasons.
-- Brian Richesson