Bengals vs. Browns: Hall of Fame numbers game

Are certain ex-Bengals players worthy of the big honor?
A versatile athlete, Anthony Muñoz caught seven passes and scored four touchdowns. His tough play helped propel the Cincinnati Bengals to three AFC Central Division titles and two AFC Championships in 1981 and 1988.

Credit: Jonathan Daniel

Credit: Jonathan Daniel

A versatile athlete, Anthony Muñoz caught seven passes and scored four touchdowns. His tough play helped propel the Cincinnati Bengals to three AFC Central Division titles and two AFC Championships in 1981 and 1988.

Which team has shown to be the stronger unit over the past few years: the Cincinnati Bengals or the Cleveland Browns?

If you looked at team records and the overall success of each squad, the answer seems obvious.

Head coach Marvin Lewis'  Bengals have made it into the playoffs four times within the past 10 years, while the Browns haven't been in that spotlight since 2002. That's when they lost the Wild Card Playoff game against the Steelers.

The Bengals may look like the better Ohio NFL team now, but the Browns of the late '60s knew how to kick some tail. They -- and other Browns from different time periods -- kicked so much tail that they currently have 16 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As far as the on-the-rise Bengals?

One.

Only offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz is in the Hall. He was enshrined with the honors in 1998. Browns 16, Bengals 1. The Browns clearly have won the Hall of Fame numbers game against the Bengals.

And so opens the debate: Should the Bengals have more players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Many people think so.

For example, a quick Google search of "Ken Anderson and Hall of Fame" reveals many discussion forums vouching for the ex-Bengals quarterback to be in the Hall of Fame. Some call it "injustice." There is even a page that exists called "The Annual Ken Anderson Not In The Hall of Fame Discussion."

Anderson isn't the only ex-Bengal some think should be in the Hall of Fame. Among other Cincinnati greats are Boomer Esiason, Isaac Curtis, and Cris Collinsworth.

Are these Bengals or others Hall of Fame worthy? That's not for us to decide.

But we can certainly express our opinions. So tell us: Which ex-Bengals do you think (if anyone) belong in the Pro Hall of Fame?

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