CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Battle of Ohio resumes Sunday.
When Zac Taylor and Freddie Kitchens square off, it’ll mark just the second time rookie head coaches face off in the series. The first was Marty Schottenheimer and Sam Wyche in 1984.
The Browns, who continue to be their own worst enemy and have no margin for error if they hope to pull off an improbable run to the playoffs, return home licking their wounds after losing a game they should’ve won in Pittsburgh while the Bengals roll up Interstate-71 on the heels of their first victory of the season.
Cleveland looks for their third consecutive victory in the series after sweeping Cincinnati in 2018 for the second time in the expansion era.
Win or lose, the Browns are guaranteed to remain mathematically alive for the playoffs, but an eighth loss would all but end any and all hope. A Cleveland victory would also ensure a second consecutive last place finish in the division for the Bengals, who have lost 18 of their last 20.
What to watch for – Left tackle Greg Robinson returns after sitting outlast week due to a concussion. Right tackle Chris Hubbard will be a game time decision as he fights through a knee injury. Center JC Tretter plans to play through his own knee problem, which he said this week isn’t nearly as severe as the high ankle sprain he played on last season. Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap is coming off a three-sack performance against the Jets that tied a career-high for him.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who will play after bruising his right hand late in the first half last week at Pittsburgh, has disappointed in the clutch this year. He has just one game-winning drive in five opportunities this season after throwing the game-deciding interception with less than two minutes to play against the Steelers. Mayfield has completed just 36.67% of his passes in the red zone this season is completing less than 59% of his passes in the second half where he has thrown just six touchdowns and eight of his 14 interceptions in 2019.
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been targeted 10 or more times in a game just five times this season. There have also been five times this season he was targeted seven or fewer times. Astonishingly Beckham has been targeted just seven times in the red zone where he has one catch for 7 yards. Crazy thought, with the season on the line, again, at some point when will Mayfield, and more importantly the head coach, decide they need to throw him the football. Beckham has just two 100-yard receiving games this season and has gone the last six without hitting the mark, a career-long drought.
Running back Nick Chubb leads the league with 1,175 yards rushing and has been one of few bright spots offensively this season leading the team with seven touchdowns. He totaled 196 yards and a touchdown in two games last year against the Bengals and he should be in for a big afternoon with Cincinnati possessing the worst run defense in the league that allows 157.6 yards per game.
Safety Damarious Randall showed up and participated in all the practices this week and by all accounts will be allowed to play. Kitchens praised safeties Sheldrick Redwine and Juston Burris for their work in Randall's stead against the Steelers but lamented a difficult performance from the cornerbacks. With Andy Dalton back in the starting lineup, Kitchens is aware Dalton won't be afraid to air it out Sunday.
The Bengals will be without one of their top playmakers Sunday, and for the rest of the season. Kickoff returner Brandon Wilson, the league's top returner through 14 weeks, was placed on injured reserve with a hand injury.
Last week – Bengals beat the Jets 22-6; Browns lost to the Steelers 20-13
Last Time – Dec. 23, 2018: Browns 26, Bengals 18
Series – Bengals lead 50-41 overall and 26-14 in the expansion era
Rankings – Points scored: Bengals 31 (14.9), Browns 21 (20.5)
Yards: Bengals 26 (301.0), Browns 18 (347.9)
Rushing: Bengals 29 (78.0), Browns 10 (122.7)
Passing: Bengals 19, (223.0), Browns 17 (225.3)
Points allowed: Bengals 24 (24.8), Browns 18 (22.7)
Yards allowed: Bengals 31 (405.0), Browns 15 (337.3)
Rushing yards allowed: Bengals 32 (157.6), Browns 26 (124.0)
Passing yards allowed: Bengals 21 (247.4), Browns 6 (213.3)
Turnover ratio: Bengals 30 (-12), Browns 22t (-4)
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Odell Beckham Jr., TE David Njoku, LT Justin McCray, LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Eric Kush, RT Chris Hubbard, QB Baker Mayfield, WR Jarvis Landry, RB Kareem Hunt, RB Nick Chubb
Defense: DE Chad Thomas, DT Larry Ogunjobi, DT Sheldon Richardson, DE Olivier Vernon, WILL Mack Wilson, MIKE Joe Schobert, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greedy Williams, CB TJ Carrie, FS Juston Burris, SS Sheldrick Redwine
Injury report – QUESTIONABLE: RT Chris Hubbard (knee), C JC Tretter (knee), DE Olivier Vernon (knee), TE Demetrius Harris (shoulder)
EXPECTED TO PLAY: QB Baker Mayfield (right hand/ribs), WR Odell Beckham Jr. (groin), WR Jarvis Landry (hip), TE Stephen Carlson (ankle), WR KhaDarel Hodge (Achilles), S Eric Murray, CB Greedy Williams (shoulder), RB Dontrell Hilliard (knee), LT Greg Robinson (concussion), DE Chad Thomas (chest/ribs), LB Mack Wilson (chest/ribs), RG Wyatt Teller
Uniforms – Primary colors: brown jerseys and pants with orange stripes and numerals
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WOIO TV-19
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. – FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Our prediction – Browns 29, Bengals 13
Our prediction record – 6-6
