Browns at Bengals: Game preview and prediction
The Cincinnati Bengals are off to the best start in franchise history at 7-0. They are hoping to stay perfect through the midway point of the season on Thursday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium.
Cincinnati has been one of the most explosive teams in the league, something of a turnaround from what we have seen in recent years. Cincinnati has been a team with weapons over the past few years, but it has not been able to take advantage with quarterback Andy Dalton playing too conservatively. This year, Dalton has already thrown for 1,992 yards and 15 touchdowns, easily putting him on pact for a career-year.
The Bengals can also beat teams on the ground with the duo of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. The combination has provided seven touchdowns with Bernard being exceptional on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Cleveland will need to tighten up its run defense to have any chance of pulling off an upset, ranking 29th in yards allowed per carry.
Cleveland will be without starting quarterback Josh McCown, who is dealing with a litany of bumps and bruises. Second-year man Johnny Manziel will be making his first start of the season and his third career start, hoping to win for the first time. Last year, Manziel started against the Bengals and the results were hideous, ending in a 30-0 defeat.
The Browns must control the ball and win on third down, beating the Bengals with time of possession and touchdowns instead of field goals. It’s possible, but not likely.
Pick: Cincinnati 27, Cleveland 20