The Bengals were looking to extend their winning streak to 3 games, something that would be necessary to keep their playoff hopes alive. Their opponent, the Cleveland Browns, had come alive in recent weeks. However, the usual lows that come with the highs led to Jameis Winson getting benched. A break for the Bengals, as Dorian Thompson-Robinson has struggled early on in his NFL career. Could they take advantage?
It was a disastrous start for a Bengals defensive unit that has been very shaky this season. They slowed a huge 66 yard run by Jerome Ford on the first play of scrimmage. The Browns were able to get down to the Cincy 1 yard line, but a D’Onte Foreman fumble on the 1 served as an early turning point. Vonn Bell made the play to punch it out.
With the ball at their own 1, a neutral zone infraction on the Browns gave them some much needed space. Chase made a couple of early receptions, combining for 21 yards, as the Bengals started to get going. Brown added a 21 yard run, which was followed by a 21 yard reception by Higgins. Brown then ripped off a 22 yard run, which set them up at the 2 yard line. From there, Burrow was able to somehow get his pass off before hitting the ground, finding Tee Higgins in the end zone. This gave the Bengals a 7-0 lead.
It took a while for more points to end up on the board. The Browns offence began to struggle, and Cade York missed a 47 yard field goal for the Bengals.
Finally, in the 2nd quarter, the offence got going again. With good starting field position, a quick 11 yard strike to Chase got them inside Cleveland territory. Burrow found Andrei Iosivas for 15 yards on the next play, before later finding him again for a 6 yard TD. 14-0 Bengals.
After Cade York blasted a 59 yard field goal, the Bengals went into the break with a 17-0 lead.
The Browns had their best drive of the game in the 3rd quarter. Dorian Thompson-Robinson strung together a few completions, as they nickel and dimed their way up field. A 29 yard completion to Njoku then set them up at the Cincinnati 7 yard line. A few plays later, Ford ran it in for a 4 yard TD. 17-6 Bengals after a missed extra point.
With the ball back, the Browns were looking to make it a 1 score game, but Thompson-Robinson was picked off by Jordan Battle. But the Bengals then gave it back. Inside Browns territory, Burrow was attempting to evade pressure, but fumbled the ball.
Despite the fumble, there never seemed to be much risk that the Bengals would blow this lead. Outside of the scoring drive, Cleveland’s offence failed to get much going. The Bengals would even add one more TD. It was only a 2 play drive that ended with a 32 yard bomb to Ja’Marr Chase.
The Bengals came away with a 24-6 win, keeping their playoff hopes alive. In a critical matchup for the wildcard hunt, Cincinnati will take on the Denver Broncos next week.
Thumbnail Image Via: Alexander Jonesi (CC)