NFL Browns force Eagles to overtime, lose on Akers' kick

Terrell Owens scored twice, each time taking exception to end zone signs.
COMBINED DISPATCHES
CLEVELAND -- With the wind whipping in off Lake Erie, kicker David Akers told Philadelphia's coaches that 50 yards was his limit for a field goal. Max.
He needed every last inch.
Akers' 50-yard field goal slithered over the crossbar 9 minutes, 58 seconds into overtime to give the undefeated Eagles a 34-31 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
"Whew," Akers said. "I was scared I had pushed the ball. Luckily, it was just good."
Donovan McNabb matched a career high with four touchdown passes -- two to Terrell Owens -- and the Eagles (6-0) overcame the upset-minded Browns (3-4) to remain the NFC's lone unbeaten team.
Browns provide test
After blowing out their first five opponents by an average of nearly 15 points, the Eagles were tested for the first time this season.
"They're not all going to be easy," Akers said.
Despite getting 27 first downs, 394 yards of offense and being the first team to lead the Eagles in the second half this season, Cleveland couldn't quite pull off the upset.
"They just scored last," Browns tackle Ryan Tucker said.
McNabb finished 28-of-43 for 376 yards and one interception. But it was his legs that set up Akers' winner, a 28-yard scramble -- Philadelphia's longest run of the game -- that got the ball to midfield.
"There's one reason I did it," McNabb said. "I was open. I prefer not to run, but I have to take full advantage of every opportunity."
Owens, whose feud with Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia -- his former San Francisco teammate -- dominated the pre-game hype, had four catches for 109 yards.
Owens scored two TDs in the first half, and after each, the flamboyant wideout, who has eight TD catches already this season, took exception with two signs directed at him that hung over the end zone walls.
"I found them humorous," he said. "It kind of fueled me. We all thought they were funny."
Owens' presence felt
Owens came out for pregame warm-ups escorted by security personnel and was the last Eagles player to take the field after introductions. He made a quick impact, catching a 39-yard TD pass to give Philadelphia a 14-7 lead.
He celebrated by firing the ball against a bed sheet that said: "T.O. has B.O."
In the second quarter, Owens got behind cornerback Anthony Henry for an easy 40-yard TD to make it 21-10. This time, he ripped another sign about him off the wall, was flagged 15 yards for excessive celebration and got an earful from Eagles coach Andy Reid.
"I thought that was nitpicky," Owens said. "All I did was tear down a sign. I didn't see any harm in it."
Garcia went 21-for-36 for 236 yards and tied it at 31 with 30 seconds to go in regulation on a 4-yard run.
It was set up by a questionable roughing call against Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, who was flagged on a fourth-and-7 play despite making minimal contact with Garcia.
"I got him this much," Dawkins said, holding his thumb and index finger a fraction apart. "I didn't like it."
Operating with a thin receiving corps that had starter Andre Davis inactive with turf toe, the Browns lost starter Andre King on the second series with what was announced as a sprained left ankle.
The Browns then relied on running backs William Green and Lee Suggs to gain a season-high 165 yards on the ground, 123 in the first half. Suggs finished with 78 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, and Green added 64 yards on 14 attempts and a score.
Ongoing feud
Garcia hasn't liked much of what has come out of Owens' mouth in recent months. In Owens' autobiography and during interviews, he has insinuated that Garcia is gay.
Even if the Browns had won, Garcia didn't think Owens would stop belittling him.
"I don't think anything you do is going to shut him up," Garcia said. "I don't need to bring myself down to anyone else's level. I'm going to continue to represent my team and myself with respect."
Last week, Garcia said he may be willing to someday patch things up with Owens.
Owens might be open to that, too.
"My heart is big like that," Owens said. "I'm not a guy to hold grudges. When we had our spats we came back together -- so maybe so."
Some Browns found solace going into a bye week.
"Moral victories don't get you anywhere in the NFL, but some of the guys needed the confidence," offensive guard Kelvin Garmon said. "Now we know we can compete with and beat the best."