DaytonDailyNews.com

CLEVELAND — Searching for back-to-back victories for the first time in a year, the Cincinnati Bengals sure came to the right place.

They couldn't do anything wrong, while the Cleveland Browns couldn't do anything right.

The Bengals' 14-0 victory in the deep freeze at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 21 — the temperature at kickoff was 18 degrees, but the wind chill caused a dip below zero — sent everyone scurrying for their record books.

Cornerback Leon Hall tied a franchise record with three interceptions and tailback Cedric Benson rushed for a career-high 171 yards as the Bengals avenged a 20-12 home loss to Cleveland on Sept. 28.

They also grabbed a 36-35 lead in the "Battle of Ohio" series, avoided going winless on the road for the first time since 1993 and pitched their first shutout since a 30-0 triumph over the Browns here on Nov. 26, 2006.

"Anytime you can get a shutout in the NFL, it's tough duty," Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said. "I'm proud of our guys."

The Bengals won the total-yardage battle 246-182 and hogged the ball for 31 minutes, 47 seconds thanks to Benson, who dipped and dived, darted and danced for his fourth career 100-yard rushing game.

"He was running just as hard in the fourth quarter as he was in the first quarter," said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Chris Henry.

Stars of the game

Benson's 171-yard performance was the most by a Bengals runner since Rudi Johnson's 169 yards against the Browns on Dec. 11, 2005.

Hall's three picks equaled Deltha O'Neal's effort against Minnesota on Sept. 18, 2005.

Goat of the game

Browns quarterback Ken Dorsey was 10-of-17 passing for 68 yards, three interceptions and a passer rating of 28.2. Cleveland hasn't scored an offensive touchdown in 20 straight quarters.

Turning point

Hall jumped in front of a left-side Dorsey pass intended for Braylon Edwards and sprinted 50 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Bengals lead at 8:30 of the first quarter.

It was Hall's first career interception return for a TD at any level.

Quote machine

"I knew that's what it would take for us to get a win. We were going to run several times. It was going to be tough to pass because of the weather conditions. That's my style of running and I took advantage of it." — Bengals tailback Cedric Benson.

Next games

Who: Kansas City Chiefs (2-13) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-11-1)

When: 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28

TV: WHIO-TV (CBS, Channel 7)

Radio: WLW-AM (700), WTUE-FM (104.7)

Who: Cleveland Browns (4-11) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28

Radio: WONE-AM (980)