CINCINNATI - It wasn't the step forward the Cleveland Browns wanted to take after the big offensive showing of a week earlier against the Detroit Lions.

Then again, the opponent Sunday was the Bengals, who play a better brand of defense than the Lions are capable of on their best defensive day.

"I don't know. It's tough to tell," Browns quarterback Brady Quinn replied when asked if the offense took a step backwards in the 16-7 loss to the Bengals. "We have to take our hat off to our defense. They did a great job allowing us to stay in the game. But when it comes down to it, we just have to make plays."

Quinn, who passed for 304 yards and four touchdowns against the Lions, had a rough game. He completed 15-of-34 passes for 100 yards.

Most of Quinn's passes were short and to the outside. For various reasons, there were few attempts to throw deep or across the middle.

"They bring some pressure, and sometimes it's more than we can handle," Quinn said. "A lot of times it doesn't allow me to sit back there and take all day to throw. We tried to take some shots when we could, but that's part of the game plan and part of what they do well."

Quinn was off the mark on several passes, but he didn't get much help from the receivers. Tight end Greg Estandia dropped a pass thrown into a tight area on a seam route. Running back Jerome Harrison had a drop, and receiver Chansi Stuckey dropped a pass for what would have been a first down on a third-down play.

Quinn refused to point a finger of blame.

"I can always throw a better ball," he said. "I say that every week. I appreciate the wide receivers and the tight ends and everyone, and I appreciate the work that they do to get open and make plays. When it comes down to it, I can always give them a better ball."

Stuckey took the same approach when discussing the drops.

"I never put anything on a quarterback," Stuckey said. "It's all on me. If it comes to my area and I'm targeted, I feel I should catch it every time."

Quinn's best sequence came when he wasn't throwing the ball. He flared out to his left after handing off to Joshua Cribbs and caught a pass for 18 yards. Later on the drive Quinn kept the ball on a quarterback draw and dove into the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown run.

The reception wasn't the first for Quinn in his career.

"I caught one in my homecoming game in my senior year of high school, but that one was for a touchdown," he said.

Quinn would prefer throwing touchdown passes. All he and the offense can do now is find a way to improve before hosting the San Diego Chargers Sunday.

"We're still evolving and still trying to get better, and Cincinnati is a good team," he said. "They're 6-0 in the division, and that hasn't happened in a long time. You have to give them credit as well."

mmclain@tribtoday.com