In a pivotal game between divisional rivals Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, the match-up between Browns’ corner-back Joe Haden and Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green could determine the game.
It is coming down to the wire in the AFC North.
In what is one of the tightest divisions in the NFL, all four NFC North teams are within, basically, a game and a half of each other (the Bengals have one tie). This Sunday, the first place Cincinnati Bengals (8-4-1) go up against the last place Cleveland Browns (7-6). The Bengals are looking to stay a top the division, while the Browns are trying stay above .500 and keep pace with the rest of the division. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are both 8-5.
Always a featured match-up when these two teams meet, is between two players who know each other pretty well by now. The match-up between Browns’ corner-back Joe Haden and Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green will again be the highlight of the game.
Yes, even more so than Johnny ‘Football’ Manziel getting his first career start.
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Browns head coach Mike Pettine believes that the winner of this game within the game will determine the overall outcome as well.
“To me it’s going to determine how the game goes,” Pettine said this week, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It’s no secret that we are going to put (Haden) on A.J. a good amount during the game and that very well could determine it because I know they are not going to shy away from throwing the ball to their best receiver.”
It’s safe to say that Joe Haden has gotten the best of A.J. Green over the last few years. In the seven previous meetings between the two Pro-Bowlers, Haden has held Green to 30 catches on 61 targets for 425 yards and four touchdowns. Green has compiled over 100 receiving yards in a game only twice against Haden.
These two met back in week 10, when the Browns dominated the Bengals 24-3. Haden held Green to only three catches for 23 yards. It is fair to point out, however, that Green was just coming back from a nagging toe injury, so he definitely was not 100 percent for that game. It also didn’t help that his quarterback Andy Dalton played probably one of his worst games of his career that day.
Since that week 10 match against Haden though, Green has been white hot. In the past four game, Green has recorded 33 receptions for 529 yards and three touchdowns.
With A.J. Green seemingly at full health now, it will be interesting to see if Green can get the better of Joe Haden this time around. Pettine understands the importance of shutting down the Bengals’ star receiver. So, if Green can find a way to produce, it will give his team an excellent chance to walk away with a win and stay a top the division.
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