CLEVELAND - Josh Gordon had a streak going that he didn't want to see end Sunday.
The Browns rookie receiver scored a touchdown on three consecutive receptions - two against the New York Giants the previous Sunday and one Sunday in a 34-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. What made the streak more impressive is that he averaged 51 yards per reception on the catches.
Gordon can't ever remember having touchdowns on three consecutive receptions at any level of his football career.
"Maybe in high school," Gordon said. "It's never really been like that. I'm sure the number won't be as high per average, but I want to be consistent with something like that."
Gordon made a spectacular one-handed catch of a Brandon Weeden pass on a 71-yard touchdown play. The throw and the catch were amazing because of a swirling wind that did strange things to footballs in the air.
"I tried to bring it in one-handed because the wind kind of took it a little bit at the last second," Gordon said. "It messed up my perception on it. I pulled it in with one hand but caught it with two."
NOT THAT OLD: Cornerback Sheldon Brown turned back the clock with his best effort of the season. The highlight was a 19-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Brown, who's 33 and in his 11th season, has struggled at times as age has caught up to him. There have been rumors of a possible move to safety, but that's never been discussed by the coaches.
"I don't care where people want me to play," Brown said. "People have been putting me at different positions my whole career. I was a running back in high school. It's irrelevant. The guys that evaluate the film put me in places where I can make plays, and I try to go out and do that."
WELCOME BACK: Cornerback Joe Haden was back after missing four games because of a suspension. He admittedly had a case of pre-game nerves.
"I'm nervous before every game," said Haden, who had one interception. "This game I was trying to act like I was cool, but I really wasn't. I was nervous. Nerves make me play better."
WINDY CITY: The wind gusts were the worst that kicker Phil Dawson can ever remember in Cleveland, which says a lot. Weeden said it made throwing the football an adventure.
"The wind was all over the place," Weeden said. "Me and Andy (Dalton) were on the field before and looked at each other and laughed. Phil Dawson knows it better than anybody."
WELCOME ABOARD: Rookie receiver Josh Cooper made his professional debut with two receptions for 39 yards. Weeden was ecstatic to have Cooper on board. He spent the first five weeks on the practice squad.
"I was so pumped for him," Weeden said. "I could barely call the plays I was so excited for him. He made a great (first) catch. It's not the easiest catch for the first one of your NFL career. You usually want to catch a hitch, but he caught a back-shoulder wheel route."
HAD TO: Defensive tackle Billy Winn could have fallen on an Andy Dalton fumble late in the game to seal the win, but he couldn't help but picking up the ball and running 35 yards.
"That's a gift," Winn said. "You have to scoop and score those things."
Winn was given a game ball for his efforts. He plans to put it in a case and place it somewhere in his home where he can see it."
STRIKINGLY FAMILIAR: The Browns ended an 11-game losing streak Sunday. The streak tied the mark set in the 1974-75 seasons. That streak also ended with a win over the Bengals, 35-23, at home.
The Browns scored four touchdowns in both games, and the Bengals scored three in both. The Browns trailed at halftime of the 1975 game, 20-12. They trailed 14-7 at halftime yesterday.
OUT OF IT: Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin was deactivated because of a calf injury. He was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie John Hughes.
Outside linebacker Scott Fujita was also deactivated. Fujita has been dealing with a knee issue since early in training camp. Rookie James-Michael Johnson was given his first starting assignment in Fujita's place. Johnson missed the first four games of the season with an oblique injury. He played on special teams last week against the New York Giants.
INJURY REPORT: Left guard Jason Pinkston left in the first quarter and was replaced by Boardman High School graduate John Greco. Pinkston returned in the second quarter but left again with what was called an illness.
INACTIVES: In addition to Rubin, out for the Browns were receiver Mohamed Massaquoi; defensive backs Dimitri Patterson and Tashaun Gipson; offensive lineman Ryan Miller; Rubin; receiver Travis Benjamin and linebacker Scott Fujita.
The Bengals sidelined receiver Mohamed Sanu; cornerbacks Jason Allen and Dre Kirkpatrick; safety George Iloka; defensive tackle Brandon Thompson; receiver Ryan Whalen and tight end Richard Quinn.
