CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 3-11 Cleveland Browns travel to Cincinnati to take on the 6-8 Bengals in Week 16.
Here’s what we are watching for.
DTR time – Dorian Thompson-Robinson takes over for Jameis Winston as the Browns starting quarterback marking the 11th time since 1999 Cleveland has gone three starters deep at the position in a season. Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick, makes his fourth career start and first of the season.
Spoiler – The Browns waved bye bye to playoff hopes weeks ago, and Sunday they can invite the Bengals to make early January vacation plans with a victory on the road.
Mylestone – Myles Garrett is half a sack away from 100 in his career and has 12 sacks in 11 career games against the Bengals. Garrett currently is tied for fifth in the league with 11.0 sacks, marking the fifth consecutive season he has hit that mark. Garrett would also become the fifth player to reach the milestone in his first eight seasons.
Ford truckin’ – Jerome Ford is back to being the lead back after Nick Chubb was lost for the rest of the season due to a broken foot. Ford had a season-high 104 scrimmage yards last week, including a 62-yard touchdown run, the longest rush of the season for the Browns.
Warden alert – Denzel Ward, who leads the NFL with 19 pass breakups this season, will try to slow Ja’Marr Chase and the high-powered Bengals passing offense. Ward has broken up 19 passes in 10 career games against Cincinnati. Chase leads the NFL with 102 catches, 1,413 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns this season.
No ordinary Joe – Joe Burrow is having an MVP caliber season as he leads the league with 3,977 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes. Burrow has thrown at least two touchdowns in five of seven career games against Cleveland.
Last Time – October 20, 2024: Bengals 21, Browns 14
Series – Bengals lead all-time 54-48
Last week – Browns lost to the Chiefs 21-7, Bengals beat the Titans 37-27
How they compare – Here’s a look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Points scored: Browns 17.07, Bengals 28.5
Yards: Browns 309.6, Bengals 362.5
Rushing: Browns 92.1, Bengals 91.1
Passing: Browns 217.5, Bengals 271.4
Points allowed: Browns 25.4, Bengals 27.6
Yards allowed: Browns 340.9, Bengals 366.1
Rushing yards allowed: Browns 128.2, Bengals 126.9
Passing yards allowed: Browns 212.7, Bengals 239.2
Turnover ratio: Browns -16, Bengals +2
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Jerry Jeudy, LT Germain Ifedi, LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, TE David Njoku, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, RB Nick Chubb, TE Jordan Akins, WR Elijah Moore
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Mike Hall Jr., DE Ogbo Okoronkwo, LB Mohamoud Diabate, LB Devin Bush, CB Denzel Ward, CB Cameron Mitchell, CB MJ Emerson, S Juan Thornhill, S Rodney McLeod
Injury report – OUT: DT Shelby Harris (elbow); QUESTIONABLE: CB Martin Emerson Jr. (concussion), TE David Njoku (hamstring), QB Jameis Winston (shoulder); WR Cedric Tillman (concussion)
Uniforms – White 1946 jersey, white pants, white helmet
Broadcast – 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals radio network; WOIO TV-19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. Paycor Stadium; Cincinnati, Ohio
Our prediction – Bengals 27, Browns 16
