Heading into Cleveland, the Bengals were looking to extend their win streak on Monday Night Football. Both teams were dealing with some injuries. For the Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase was the headliner. However, it was also the return game for Logan Wilson. This contest was significant for both teams. Cleveland, at 2-5, was looking to keep their season alive. The Bengals, meanwhile, were looking to keep pace with the Ravens, while also locking up a critical division win. Given they lost their first two divisional games, it makes a win that much more important.
The first half started slow and was low scoring. Joe Burrow had an interception and a fumble, and the Browns also had a couple of turnovers. Each team missed a field goal, as well, with McPherson pushing it wide, and York’s attempt being blocked.
The Browns opened the scoring in the 2nd quarter. Nick Chubb got a lot of work on the ground, and Amari Cooper hauled in a deep ball from Brissett. Near the Bengals goalline, Chubb was able to punch it in for the TD after taking the direct snap. A Bengals penalty for too many men allowed the Browns to go for 2 from the 1 yard line. They converted to go up 8, before a field goal late in the half would put them up 11-0.
A Bengals punt was sandwiched between two Cleveland TD’s to start the 2nd half. Aside from a long catch by Peoples-Jones, the first drive was almost all Nick Chubb. The Bengals were having a lot of trouble against the run, and allowed a deep 3rd down completion when they finally were starting to get a handle on things. Brissett was able to scramble for the TD.
Cleveland’s next TD drive did not feature Chubb at all. However, they were still able to move the ball on the Bengals defence. Hunt, Peoples-Jones, and Cooper all had chunk plays. Cooper was able to catch a fade from Brissett from 4 yards out to cap off the drive.
Down 25-0, the Bengals offence finally woke up a little. Hayden Hurst made a 9 yard catch to get things going. An 18 yard completion to Trenton Irwin moved the chains again. Mixon was heavily involved after, and we did get another competition to Irwin. Joe Burrow capped off the drive with a 13 yard TD to Tyler Boyd. McPherson’s missed extra point left the score at 25-6.
The Browns offence would torch the Bengals, now beaten up, defence. Cleveland ran it a lot before completing a 53 yard pass to Cooper on 3rd & 9. Chubb would run it in from 11 yards out just a couple of plays later. 32-6.
The game was long out of reach by now, but the Bengals did add one more score to get into the double digits. They had a few short gains before a 15 yard penalty on the Browns pushed the ball close to midfield. A few plays later, Burrow hit Tee Higgins deep down the sideline for a 41 yard TD. 32-13, which is how it ended.
The Bengals fall to 4-4 and fall 1.5 games back of the Ravens for the division lead. They head back home to face the Carolina Panthers next week.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)