(My Sportsbook) - The Cleveland Browns clawed their way back into the AFC playoff race with a 24-15 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. Rookie running back William Green rushed for a career-high 114 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, while starting signal-caller Tim Couch completed 12- of-21 passes for 182 yards and a score to lift the Browns into second place in the AFC North, one-half game behind Pittsburgh.

Head coach Butch Davis was glad to get the victory, but more importantly, he was impressed with his team's resurgent running game.

"When you go on the road, if you want to be any good, you have to run the ball," said Davis. "It eats up yardage, but more importantly, it eats up time."

"William means so much to this team right now with what he's doing," said Couch. "He gives us a chance to run our whole offense."

The biggest improvement in the Browns' offense has been the running game. Green has emerged as the team's feature running back, and he has responded well. In his past two games, Green has accounted for 210 yards on 53 carries and a score.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians believes the changes in Green's game are a direct result of the rookie runner learning from the sideline in the fist half of the season.

"That can really help a young guy like William," said Arians. "Especially when they take it right and realize they're not doing anything wrong. He sat back and watched and then seized his opportunity.

"You can tell that William is brimming with confidence just by the way he's walking these days," Arians said. "It takes time for these young backs. People want them to be Superman right away."

Green gave credit to the offensive line for his productive day last week in New Orleans.

"It felt good [to get 100 yards]," Green said. "That's what we work hard on all week. Everybody worked hard and was disciplined and we executed what we wanted to do all week. Once again we worked hard and our offensive line came through, did a heck of a job. We're happy. We're looking forward to playing the Panthers."

CAROLINA CALLING

The Browns return home on Sunday to face the Carolina Panthers, who have lost eight straight games after a 3-0 start. The Panthers are keying on Green, but could be hard-pressed to stop the Boston College product without MLB Dan Morgan, Carolina is allowing 101.9 yards per game on the ground.

"Dan Morgan is questionable with a dislocated shoulder," Carolina head coach John Fox said. "They have relocated it. It is sore right now. Most of those usually go that way. We will just see how well he deals with it."

Losing Morgan would be a crippling blow. He is their best run stopper, and the middle linebacker position is vital considering they are going against a Cleveland offense that has found a new love for pounding the football between the tackles.

Green's emergence has helped the Browns' passing attack. Last week, Couch completed passes to seven different receivers. His favorite target was Dennis Northcutt, who caught three passes for 68 yards. But Couch's success depends on his ability to spread the ball around.

"That's what I try to do," Couch said. "Sometimes it backfires on me, but sometimes it works out. I'm going out there and trying to win the game. I don't care about stats. I do care about picks, but it's not going to effect me on the next drive.

"I'm going to come out and I'm going to be aggressive and I'm going to have that gunslinger mentality. No matter what happens, I'm coming out throwing the thing and I just got a lot of the faith in the guys around me that they're going to make plays for us."

This week, Couch will have to throw the ball quickly. The Panthers have a very good defensive line. Led by rookie Julius Peppers' 11 sacks, Carolina's defensive line has accounted for 31 of the team's 35 sacks, which leads the league. But this could be Peppers' season finale. He was facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. He has played the past two games, but his appeal will be heard next week.

COMING UP: The Browns will visit the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14.