In their last two games against Joe Burrow, the Browns have sacked the Bengals' quarterback 10 times and forced five turnovers. (Associated Press)
Cleveland Browns scouting report: Cincinnati Bengals
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Paycor Stadium; Cincinnati, OH
Record: 8-4.
Last game: Defeated Kansas City Chiefs, 27-24, Dec. 4, in Cincinnati.
Coach: Zac Taylor, 24-36-1, fourth year.
Series record: Bengals lead, 51-47.
Last meeting: Browns won, 32-13, Oct. 31, in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is fifth overall (26th rushing, fourth passing), defense is 12th overall (15th rushing, 16th passing) and turnover differential is plus-2.
Things to watch
1. The only loss suffered by the Bengals in their last seven games was to the Browns, their nemesis in the Joe Burrow era, on Halloween night. Even though they’ve won four in a row since then, that loss has haunted the Bengals because it dropped their AFC North record to 0-3. They’ve since risen to 1-3, but they know they can’t win a division tie-breaker to Baltimore (2-0 in the division) or Cleveland (2-1). So, even though they may be a better team right now than the one that won the AFC title last year, the Bengals possible will enter the post-season only as a wild card – unless Baltimore falls apart. Also, Burrow’s 0-4 record against the Browns is in his head. The Browns are 5-0 against the Bengals under Kevin Stefanski, counting the 17th game last season when the Bengals rested Burrow and a bunch of other regulars.
2. The Bengals have two major changes on defense since the teams met on Oct. 31. No. 1 cornerback Chidobe Awuzie suffered an ACL tear in the Browns’ game and has been replaced by rookie Cam Taylor-Britt, a physical, second-round draft choice who is holding his own. His first game was against the Browns and he’s been starting ever since. The Bengals have been replenished in the middle of their defensive front with the return of run-stuffing defensive tackles D.J. Reader and Josh Tupou. Without either available in the first meeting, the Bengals allowed the Browns to run 44 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns.on Halloween night.
3. The big changes on offense for the Bengals: No. 1 receiver Ja’Marr Chase did not play Oct. 31, but is back for the second week after a four-week hip injury. And the Bengals are running the ball much better. In their last four games, the Bengals have pounded out 563 yards on 125 rush attempts for a 4.5 average – significantly better than their 3.5 season mark prior to that stretch. As a result, Taylor’s pass-run ratio is down to a more reasonable 61 percent to 39 percent, as opposed to 63 to 37 when they faced the Browns last. The Bengals got a 100-yard rushing game from No. 2 back Samaje Perine against the Chiefs and now are expecting No. 1 back Joe Mixon to be cleared from concussion protocol.
4. The revamped offensive line, featuring four new starters from a year ago, including three veteran free agents, has steadily paid dividends. In addition to the improved running game, Burrow’s protection has vastly improved. The most-sacked quarterback in 2021 with 51, Burrow has been sacked only five times in the last four games, including one apiece against the elite defensive fronts of Tennessee and Kansas City. The Browns have sacked Burrow five times in each of their
Did you know … ?
1. Burrow has been intercepted on his first series in each of his last three games against the Browns.
2. Cincinnati-native punter Kevin Huber, 37, the Bengals’ franchise leader in games played with 216, has been replaced by former Ohio State punter Drue Chrisman. As the holder, Chrisman joins rookie long snapper Cal Adomitis in a new placement team for kicker Evan McPherson. In the Oct. 31 meeting against the Browns, McPherson missed a PAT and a 47-yard field goal in his first NFL meeting against Cade York, his SEC rival. Since that game, McPherson is 7 of 8 on field goals and 15 of 15 on PATs. McPherson is 12th among kickers with 86 points; York is tied for 14th with 84.
3. The Bengals’ four-game win streak is their longest since they started the 2015 season 8-0.
Small world: Owner/president and de facto general manager Mike Brown is the son of Paul Brown, founding coach of the Cleveland Browns and founder of the Bengals. He was born in Massillon and grew up in Shaker Heights … Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is son of Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan … Defensive quality control control coach Lou Cioffi was Browns defensive backs coach in 2013 and 2016.
