CLEVELAND -- Kurt Coleman has the battle scars to show what happened when Browns running back Trent Richardson drilled him in the second quarter.
However, Coleman also had two interceptions and can share with his teammates the feeling of victory as his second pick of the game sealed the Eagles' 17-16 win over the Cleveland Browns.
"I'm just proud of this team and how we fought through all of the adversity," Coleman said sporting a cut across his nose and his chin.
The Columbus, Ohio native and Ohio State alum admitted this was an "emotional" game for him playing back in his home state. Coleman was named one of the three team captains for the game.
On a second-and-10 in the second quarter, Richardson took the handoff from quarterback Brandon Weeden. Wide receiver Josh Gordon clipped Coleman knocking him off-balance and loosening his helmet. Richardson lowered his head and plowed into Coleman punting the safety's helmet into the air. Coleman said he had no headaches, only the pain from the cuts.
"He ran right into me and my helmet did some work on my face as you can see," Coleman said. "I just felt the collision and kept on playing."
Coleman didn't leave the field. He stayed on and helped linebacker DeMeco Ryans get Richardson for a loss on third-and-1.
The first pick for the game came prior to the blast from Richardson in the red zone. Weeden threw the ball over the middle to wide receiver Greg Little. Fellow safety Nate Allen jarred the ball loose and linebacker Mychal Kendricks knocked the ball into the air like it was a beach ball. Coleman came up with the pick and kept the Browns from scoring, which in the end made the difference. The Browns went 0-for-2 in the red zone.
"It's big. We were put in some tough positions with turnovers and I think this defense is ready to fight through any adversity that we are given," Coleman said.
The defense held strong, but an interception return for a touchdown by Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson put his team ahead in the fourth quarter. Michael Vick led the offense on a 16-play, 91-yard touchdown drive to regain the lead with 1:18 left.
Coleman wanted to make sure the win was secure. He credited the front four for their pressure as he was playing the middle safety in a Cover 3 look on the game-winning interception. Coleman thought he was going to cut off the receiver on a curl route when he realized Weeden's thrown was sailing high.
"I just went up and tried to make the play and seal the game," Coleman said.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @EaglesInsider
