Bowens matches career best

11.17.2009

There must be something to playing in November for Browns linebacker David Bowens.

In Monday Night's 16-0 loss to the Ravens, Bowens tied a career high with 2 sacks of quarterback Joe Flacco. Bowens, who registered 2 sacks in a 33-21 win over the Raiders as a member of the Dolphins on November 27, 2005, also led the Browns with 9 total tackles.

Bowens helped anchor a defense that shut out the Ravens in the first half and held Baltimore to 1 offensive score.

"Defensively, we had a good game plan," said Bowens. "I think we executed it for the most part. The third quarter, Coach (Cam) Cameron, the (offensive coordinator) from Baltimore, did a good job. He caught us trying to sub in, sub out. They got that touchdown early in the third quarter. The third quarter, it was just tough.

"When things happen like that, we have to bounce back," he added. "In the fourth quarter, we pretty much tried to."

On the Ravens' first possession of the game, Bowens broke through their offensive line and brought Flacco down for a 1-yard loss and forced a punt.

On Baltimore's first play inside the Browns territory, Flacco dropped back to pass and was again sacked by Bowens, this time for an 8-yard loss. Later in the drive, Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka missed a 36-yard field goal wide left.

"We had a different call-up," Bowens said of his second sack. "Basically, the call was for me to go one-on-one against the guard in the pass rush. I just did it like that, he kind of bit on my first move and I was able to get around him."

"It seemed like they were rolling around a lot, they were running around trying to give us some different things and some different blitzes," said Flacco. "I think we reacted pretty well for the most part. It took us a little while to get going."