BEREA -- If it was a thrill ride, Tim Couch's fourth NFL season would compare with the biggest, baddest rollercoaster at any amusement park.

With his year now cresting another hill, Cleveland's quarterback is preparing himself for the next stomach-dropping dip, unexpected hairpin turn or dark tunnel.

In just eight weeks, Couch has endured an elbow injury, the wrath of critical Browns fans and questions about his leadership. He's survived it all, and lived to call another play.

''In the NFL there are going to be a lot of ups and downs for a quarterback,'' he said Wednesday. ''Some weeks you're on top of the world, and you feel like this thing has finally turned the corner.

''And then, this game will humble you and you'll come out the next week and throw three interceptions. It's happened to every quarterback in this league.''

Couch is riding high right now.

Last Sunday, he had one of the best performances of his career, rallying the Browns (4-4) from an 18-point deficit by throwing two touchdown passes -- and a desperation 2-point conversion -- in the second half as Cleveland beat the New York Jets 24-21.

Couch finished 33-of-49 for 307 yards and threw his two TDs on improvised plays. In the second half, he went 19-of-27 and had several balls dropped.

On his first TD, Couch avoided pressure by rolling to his right before leading tight end Mark Campbell with a perfectly thrown ball into the end zone.

His second scoring pass was ever better.

About to be sacked, Couch spun out of trouble and sprinted toward the left sideline. He then zipped a sidearm pass through traffic to wide receiver Andre Davis.

Who does he think he is, Brett Favre?

''He (Favre) does do a lot of stuff like that,'' Couch said. ''He gets outside the pocket, scrambles and make plays. You never know where he's going to throw it from. Once you get out of the pocket, it's just street ball. You're just looking for any guy that's open and you just want to get them the ball.''

His 2-point conversion was straight out of a sandlot game.

As Couch was being lifted and planted into the Giants Stadium turf by end Josh Evans, he somehow threw the ball in the direction of Dennis Northcutt, who fought off two Jets defenders to catch it.

Couch is still amazed it worked.

''I knew I was getting hit, but I didn't know I was as parallel to the ground as I was,'' he said. ''I don't even know how I got rid of it.''

The play typified Couch's topsy-turvy season.

It began with him missing the first two games with an elbow injury, and was followed by his emotional locker room breakdown following a home loss to Baltimore.

He tearfully derided Browns fans for first booing and then cheering after he sustained a concussion.

The critics are quiet now. In the past two weeks, Couch has completed 67 percent of his passes, thrown three TDs and hasn't had an interception in consecutive games for just the second time in his career.

''I think he's just getting into a good groove,'' running back Jamel White said. ''Especially after all he's been through, being booed and being hurt. The way he has bounced back, you have to have a lot of respect for him.''

Browns coach Butch Davis has seen a difference in Couch during Cleveland's last two victories.

''When he comes to the sideline he's wired in,'' Davis said. ''You don't even have to show him the pictures (Polaroids). He knows exactly where guys are on the field. He's been really zeroed in.''

Davis thinks Couch could be at least partially motivated by his highly publicized rift with fans.

''It may have put a little chip on his shoulder,'' Davis said.

Whatever's driving Couch, the Browns just hope they can ride their QB's hot hand a little longer.