In the parlance of boxing, somebody’s “0” has got to go when the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) travel upstate to face the Cleveland Browns (0-3) Sunday afternoon.
Of course, usually the “0” in question is from a record unblemished by a loss, but essentially it still works. Unless, of course, they end up in a tie. Now I’ve probably jinxed the whole thing.
The game will be presented to you by various beers and male enhancement pills on your local CBS station Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (+3)
O/U: 41.5
The History
The rivalry goes all the way back to 1970, two years after head coach Paul Brown started a new franchise in Cincinnati. Brown, of course, coached the Cleveland Browns from 1946-1962.
The Bengals lead the all-time series 48-39 and have won the last five consecutive games.
Cleveland won its last game over the Bengals on November 6, 2014 by a score of 24-3. Bryan Hoyer out-dueled a completely ineffective Andy Dalton if you can call it that. Hoyer completed 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Dalton was 10 of 33 for 86 yards and three picks.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-3)
I’m not sure which of the Bengals’ three losses hurt the most. In their first two games they didn’t manage to score a touchdown, so that has to sting. In the third, a 27-24 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers last week, they finally scored two touchdowns on offense, but only managed three points in the second half and surrendered a 21-7 halftime lead. That must come with some severe burning and skin irritation.
Much like a Navy Seal team parachuting in to kill terrorists and rescue hostages, the Cleveland Browns arrive on the schedule to save the day.
Last week, Andy Dalton had a much better day throwing the football, finishing 20 of 27 for 212 yards and two touchdowns. It wasn’t enough to win anything but a participation trophy, but considering his ass performances for the first two weeks, it gave reason to hope.
There’s a good chance Joe Mixon has already taken the starting running back job. He led the team by far with 18 carries for 62 yards last week and added three catches for 39 yards. In comparison, presumed starter Jeremy Hill had just seven carries for 23 yards.
Defensively Cincinnati rang up six sacks, a pick six and six tackles for a loss against the Packers and their makeshift line. It’ll be tougher to beat the Browns off the snap, but the way DeShone Kizer holds onto the ball, the sack opportunities should still be there.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-3)
The Browns squandered one of the few chances they had at a win last Sunday, falling 31-28 to the Indianapolis Colts. Kizer looked a lot like a rookie, tossing three picks and completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes, 22 of 47 for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Even with all those screw ups, Cleveland was in the game the whole way and it wouldn’t surprise me if that happened again this Sunday.
What Cleveland has to do is get the running game going. Kizer and Isaiah Crowell both ended the game with the same number of rushing yards, 44, with Kizer scoring the lone rushing touchdown. If Kizer has any chance of success for the Browns, this year or in the future, Cleveland must put forth a consistent rushing attack.
Jamie Collins is again out for Sunday’s game, still dealing with the effects of a concussion a few weeks ago. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton is officially listed as questionable, but probably won’t play. He’s not practiced all week. Sammie Coates and Randall Telfer should be available even though both of them are listed as questionable too. Myles Garrett is also sitting on the “Q” designation and your guess is as good as mine if he’ll suit up.
The Pick
The three points in this one is probably fair. Both these teams squandered opportunities to get over the hump last week. With Collins out for sure and Shelton and Garrett possibly sitting, I don’t see any way Cleveland can pull off this upset barring a catastrophe. Bengals 24, Browns 20
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
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