Browns at Bengals: 3 things we learned
By James Dudko
The Cincinnati Bengals found out how much difference a running game can make after they piled up 271 yards on the ground in a 31-17 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 7.
Strong running from Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard and Rex Burkhead made life easier for quarterback Andy Dalton and his receivers. Dalton threw for a pair of scores without a pick, while spreading the ball around between eight different pass-catchers.
While the run made a big difference to the Bengals, the Browns know all the running in the world doesn’t matter if the quarterback changes every week.
Cody Kessler became the latest wounded passer for Cleveland after the Bengals’ pass rush knocked him out. Kevin Hogan came in to join Kessler, Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown and Charlie Whitehurst as players who have taken snaps under center for the Browns this season.
Here’s what we learned about these AFC North rivals after Week 7:
The Browns are a mess until they fix QB woes
Injuries, injuries and more injuries. Yet the growing procession to the treatment room doesn’t completely explain away Cleveland’s problems under center.
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Griffin got hurt in Week 1, but he was far from a certainty to be the answer to begin with. Not based on his laundry list of problems as a member of the Washington Redskins, everything from inaccuracy, durability and struggles reading coverage and pressure.
As for McCown, he’s a career backup. Kessler has been game, but he’s still an unheralded third-round pick with plenty of room to grow. Hogan is a run-first, limited signal-caller. Meanwhile, Whitehurst has held more clipboards than there’s days on the calendar.
Hogan was chosen to replace Whitehurst because of his mobility. He fit the sleight-of-hand, wildcat, read-option, gadget-fest head coach Hue Jackson has been forced into calling.
Yet the results were depressingly familiar.
The Browns are trying to hide their quarterbacks at the moment, rarely a recipe for success in the NFL. It’s likely to continue even when every member of this motley crew is healthy again.
Run vital to Bengals offense
Cincinnati can go pass-heavy as long as Dalton’s on form and A.J. Green is drawing breath. But this is a better offense and a better team when the running game is making strides.
Balance is what every pro attack should covet, but particularly the Bengals. For one thing, Cincy isn’t protecting Dalton well, having given up 22 sacks through seven games. Even the Browns, hardly the ’85 Bears, got to Dalton three times.
But those sacks did little to hurt the Bengals because Dalton could always hand the ball off and count on solid gains. Working defenses over on the ground also sets up big play opportunities for a receiving corps defined by its vertical speed.
Both Green and Brandon LaFell are burners, so the more post plays OC Ken Zampese dials up the better. If those strikes come off play action, Dalton is more likely to get the time he needs to challenge coverage deep.
But it all starts with the run. Hill delivered this week with 168 yards on nine carries, including a 74-yard score. Yet his backfield mate is the player who can make all the difference.
Giovani Bernard is the all-purpose weapon the Bengals need
Hill might have broken out to become Cincy’s first 100-yard rusher since the days of the Icky shuffle, but Bernard is the true catalyst for this offense.
Cincy’s turbo-heeled No. 25 has the speed to turn any sprint draw or off-tackle sweep into a big play on the ground. He proved as much by gaining 80 yards on 17 carries against the Browns.
But Bernard also remains a mismatch in the passing game. He only caught one ball for seven this week, but his move skills make defenses obvious.
Every time Bernard moves out of the backfield pre-snap, either into the slot or out wide as a flanker, he changes coverage. Defenses adjust to match up and show single coverage looks Dalton can read easily.
Next: Browns at Bengals: Highlights, score and recap
The more Bernard is involved, the more prolific the Bengals will be.