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 Cleveland Browns Stadium
Record: 12-4 (2022).
Last game: Lost to Washington Commanders, 21-19, August 26, in Landover, MD.
Coach: Zac Taylor, 33-38-1, fifth year.
Series record: Bengals lead, 52-47.
Last meeting: Bengals won, 23-10, December 11, in Cincinnati.
League rankings: Offense was eighth overall (29th rushing, fifth passing), defense was 16th overall (seventh rushing, 23rd passing), and turnover differential was plus-6 (2020).
Things to watch
1. Quarterback Joe Burrow officially is “day to day,” but is expected to be full go Sunday after missing 34 days with a right calf strain. The non-contact injury occurred in the Bengals’ second practice of training camp on July 27. Burrow’s first practice back was August 30. He will have about six full practices to prepare for the season-opener. It’s the third summer in a row in which Burrow’s preseason was disrupted. In his rookie year of 2020, preseason games were canceled because of COVID-19. In 2021, Burrow missed most of preseason rehabbing from ACL surgery. In 2022, he missed most of preseason recovering from appendix surgery. Last year, Burrow was not at full strength or weight when the season began and he was intercepted four times in an overtime loss to Pittsburgh. Burrow is 1-2 in season-openers. Each game was decided by three points and the two losses came in the final 7 seconds or overtime.
2. The Bengals have made some changes from the team that appeared in the last two AFC Championship Games, winning once. Both starting safeties – Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell -- left in free agency. The replacements are Dax Hill, a 2022 first-round draft pick, and free agent Nick Scott, who was a reserve on the Rams team that beat the Bengals in the 2021 Super Bowl. The other new defensive starter is second-year cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who replaces departed Eli Apple. Also, No. 1 cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is back after tearing an ACL in the Browns’ game in Cleveland on October 31.
Orlando Brown Jr. was paid a Bengals' record-sum to protect Joe Burrow's blind side.
3. The biggest change on offense is on the offensive line, a historical weakness recently. The Bengals believe they improved both tackle positions through the signing of free agent Orlando Brown Jr. The $64.09 million contract given Brown was the highest-ever for a free agent in Bengals history. The former Raven and Chief will play left tackle. Jonah Williams will move to right tackle. In five games against Burrow, Myles Garrett has registered eight sacks and two forced fumbles. Williams was his opponent on the left side of the Bengals’ line in four of those games. If Garrett stays mostly at his traditional right end spot, it means left end Za’Darius Smith will line up opposite Williams.
4. Other changes on offense include Irv Smith Jr. as the starting tight end and a new third-down back to be determined between Trayveon Williams, rookie fifth-round pick Chase Brown and Chris Evans.
5. The Bengals will start rookies in key special teams roles. Punter Brad Robbins was a sixth-round pick from Michigan and return specialist Charlie Jones was a fourth-round pick from Purdue.
Did you know … ?
1. When the Chargers made Justin Herbert the league’s highest-paid quarterback (five years/$262.5 million) in July, everyone assumed the Bengals would add a few million on top and make Burrow the new No. 1. But Burrow’s calf injury happened and a new deal has not been agreed to. Both sides have maintained radio silence on the matter. There is no reported acrimony. A new deal for Burrow could happen any day, or week, or month.
2. Burrow’s 1-4 record against the Browns is well-documented. He’s 0-2 in Cleveland. He’s not happy about it. In his five games against the Browns, Burrow hasn’t been awful. He has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 1,475 yards (295 average) with 10 touchdowns v. five interceptions, good for a 91.5 passer rating. In those games, the Bengals have score 30, 34, 16, 13 and 23 points.
3. The Bengals are trying to become the first team to win the AFC North three years in a row since the division was formed in 2002. Finishing first, of course, results in the division’s toughest schedule in the three uncommon games among division rivals. As a result, the Bengals have to play 2022 first-place finishers Minnesota (NFC North), Kansas City (AFC West) and Buffalo (AFC East). By contrast, the last-place Browns play Chicago, Denver and the Jets from those divisions.
4. In preseason games, kicker Evan McPherson made all 11 attempts. Among his eight field goals were three from 50+, including a long of 58 yards.
5. Orlando Brown Jr.’s father, Orlando Sr., played for the Browns from 1993 through 1995, moved with the team to Baltimore (1996-98), then returned to play for the Browns in 1999, and finished his career back with the Ravens (2003-05).
Small world: Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is the son of Browns line coach Bill Callahan … defensive quality control coach Lou Cioffi was Browns defensive backs coach in 2013 and 2016 … running back Demetric Felton (practice squad) was the Browns’ sixth-round draft pick in 2021 … Mike Brown, Bengals president and owner, is the son of Browns founding coach Paul Brown. He assumed control of the Bengals upon Paul Brown’s passing in 1991.
