TJWARDLAMBEAU.JPG

Browns safety T.J. Ward celebrated his first pick-six since high school with a traditional Lambeau Leap -- even though he originally had more elaborate plans for expressing his joy.

(Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – In his head, T.J. Ward had imagined magnificent expressions of happiness, perhaps some kind of joyous dancing. For as long as he can remember, the Browns safety had elaborate plans for how he would celebrate his first touchdown in the NFL.

Because it also would be his first touchdown since high school.

But when Ward snagged the pass thrown by Buffalo backup quarterback Jeff Tuel in the fourth quarter, and dashed back 44 yards for the game-sealing touchdown, he froze.

"You know, I had a bunch of celebrations I was going to do when I scored a pick–six, but they all went out the window," Ward said. "It was just all adrenaline. That's why I did what I did. I almost fell on the bench trying to celebrate. It still felt good."

What he did was hesitate ever-so-briefly after reading Tuel's eyes and sliding in front of Bills receiver Robert Woods.

"It was kind of like I had to tell myself to run, almost," Ward admitted.

He remembered in time to score the touchdown that was the final nail in the coffin for the Bills as the Browns cruised to a 37-24 victory Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

"Obviously a huge play in the game," Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said. "He has just been doing everything right. He has been playing physical football from his position, and I have been real pleased with what he has been doing from a leadership standpoint. He was a captain for this game and came up with the big play."

In a week in which Browns cornerback Joe Haden lamented he had yet to record a pick-six in his NFL career and hoped it might come on the nationally televised game, it was his best friend on the team who accomplished the feat.

"I kind of felt like I got it," Haden said. "I almost passed out I was celebrating so hard for him."

It was Ward's second interception of the season, both meaningful in tight games (his first came in the second quarter of the Browns' 31-27 victory over Minnesota) and both coming in an important season for the fourth-year player. Ward is playing in the final year of his contract, and had no discussions with the Browns about an extension prior to the start of this season.

Unselfish in the Browns victory Thursday, however, Ward wouldn't gloat in front of media or in front of his buddy, Haden.

"That's my guy," Ward said of beating Haden to a pick-six. "He's probably going to get the next one. He was just as happy for me as I am for myself."

Ward wouldn't boast about his pick-six, wouldn't rub it in that he beat Haden to the accomplishment and only would gush about the total-team victory that came in the Browns triumph over the Bills.

"This game went up and down, we got good effort from the offense, defense and special teams -- and bad efforts from all three," Ward said. "This was really a team win."

Maybe, then, it's for the best that Ward's intended pick-six celebration evaporated from his mind as soon as he crossed the goal line. He didn't want to make it all about him, anyway.

"I just went over and went to see the fans to get that feeling of a pick-six," Ward said. "I had the Lambeau Leap."

Next time, though, be prepared for something different.