Mike Nugent's opening kickoff went three yards deep into the endzone, with showers and a hazy mist in Cincinnati. Joshua Cribbs returns the kickoff to the Browns 18-yard line for a 21-yard return. Cleveland quickly picks up their first first down of the game following an eight-yard dump to Cribbs and a three-yard run for a three-yard gain to the Browns 29-yard line.

Following another acquired first down due to an eight-yard McCoy scramble and a two-yard power Hillis run, Colt McCoy drops back on first down from the Browns 40-yard line. Jordan Norwood runs down the right sidelines, with Bengals cornerback Nate Clements fallings down and finds himself wide open to haul in the 36-yard reception to the Bengals 24-yard line.

On third down with over 11 minutes remaining in the first quarter, McCoy unleashes a perfect pass to another wide open Jordan Norwood, running a vertical from the slot. Nate Clements dives in a futile effort after being beaten so badly as Norwood hauls in the 24-yard touchdown reception to give the Browns a 7-0 lead.