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Bengals facing improved Browns
Sunday, November 26, 2006
What you need to know about today's Bengals-Browns game at Cleveland Browns Stadium:
Overview
Extras
The 67th "Battle of Ohio" finds the Bengals shooting for their first five-game winning streak against Cleveland. The Bengals, coming off a 31-16 win at New Orleans, need a victory to strengthen their playoff hopes, while the Browns want revenge after their 34-17 loss at Cincinnati on Sept. 17.
Scouting the Bengals
The league's No. 8 offense (342.6 yards per game) is finally measuring up to its enormous potential, but the defense — ranked last — is living dangerously, yielding 377.6 yards a game. Even though three interceptions saved the Bengals in New Orleans, the offense is carrying the team. The Browns will double- and triple-team wide receiver Chad Johnson, but they can't ignore tailback Rudi Johnson, who has averaged 160.5 yards rushing the past four games against Cleveland. In the past two weeks, Chad Johnson set an NFL record for most receiving yards in back-to-back games (450). He needs 163 today to break the NFL mark for a three-game span (612), set by Charley Hennigan of the Houston Oilers in 1961.
Scouting the Browns
Cleveland — 2-2 in its last four games — has a solid defense and is playing much better under new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson. Quarterback Charlie Frye is in a nice groove with tight end Kellen Winslow and wide receiver Braylon Edwards, but the club needs more production from the league's 30th-ranked rushing offense (83.0). Other players to watch are linebackers Andra Davis and Kamerion Wimbley and return man Joshua Cribbs. Davis has three interceptions in the past four games against the Bengals; Wimbley owns the club's rookie sacks record (6.5); and Cribbs ranks third in the NFL with a 28.0 kickoff return average. He scored on a 92 yarder against Pittsburgh.
Numbers game
The series is tied, 33-33, but the Browns are 20-12 as the home team. ... This is right offensive tackle Willie Anderson's 169th game, tying Lee Johnson for ninth most in Bengals' history. ... The Bengals are 15-0 when Rudi Johnson carries the ball at least 25 times, and they are 22-2 under Marvin Lewis when they win the turnover battle. ... Frye has three rushing TDs this year, the most by a Browns quarterback since Brian Sipe's three in 1978. ... Winslow's 60 catches are the most in Browns history through the first 10 games of a season. ... Edwards has three 100-yard receiving games this year. He posted a career-high 137 yards on seven catches against the Steelers.
Injury report
Bengals — C Rich Braham (knee) and G Bobbie Williams (appendix) are out; WR Kelley Washington (hamstring) is doubtful; LB Brian Simmons (neck), LT Levi Jones (knee), SS Dexter Jackson (Achilles) and CBs Deltha O'Neal (shoulder) and Keiwan Ratliff (ribs) are questionable.
Browns — CB Leigh Bodden (ankle), FS Brian Russell (elbow) and LB Willie McGinest (ankle) are questionable.
Outcome
The Bengals have enough offensive firepower to overcome their defensive deficiencies. The final: Bengals 27, Browns 20.
— Chick Ludwig,
Dayton Daily News
