The Cleveland Browns want to put their season opener behind them but linebacker D'Qwell Jackson can only hope its a sign of things to come on a personal level.

The Browns laid an egg as a team, losing at home to the Cincinnati Bengals but it wasn't Jackson's fault.

After missing nearly all of the last two seasons with pectoral injuries, Jackson showed just what kind of force he will be in Cleveland's new 4-3 defense.

The Browns' middle linebacker had 10 solo tackles, forced a fumble and registered two sacks. Spending the previous five years in a 3-4 defense before the Browns changed to a 4-3 front this summer, Jackson entered this season with three career sacks.

"It felt great; finally, it's one that counted," Jackson said. "I thought I had a pretty decent preseason so I just wanted to have some carryover. It didn't surprise me, but it was definitely a great feeling to get back out there to get a feel of the system. The scheme allows myself and our backers to go out and make a tremendous amount of plays."

It appears that the switch will allow Jackson to keep on making plays, something that has been a habit of his when healthy.

Jackson had at least 100 tackles in each of his first three years, including a league-high 188 in 2008.

"He was disruptive and when he was playing in games in the preseason, he was doing the same thing," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. "I'm pleased with where he's come. Mentally, he's been terrific and that's what you ask your Mike linebacker to be able to do. He, typically, is the guy that calls the signals, makes the adjustments and I think he's done that well."

Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron seems to have found a leader for his defense in Jackson.

"I really can't say enough about him and his demeanor, how excited he is to be playing, how serious is about playing, how professional he is in his approach, preparation and how badly he wants to do it right and win," Jauron said.

The Browns will need Jackson at his best again Sunday as they head to Indianapolis to meet the Colts, who are coming off a 34-7 loss to the Houston Texans last week.

Even without Peyton Manning, Jackson feels ther game will be a test, especially with both teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start.

"For about 10 years now, they've been a dominant team and we can't go in thinking this is an easy win," Jackson said. "In this league there are no easy wins. Every week, you've got to come ready to play. The Colts, they are going to look to have a great showing.

"It's their first home game. They didn't play well last week, so they'll be ready for us and it'll be a dog fight. We felt like we should have won last week and they have a lot to prove, so it'll be a good ball game."

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