CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – With the No. 5 seed sewn up, the Browns wrap up the regular season against the Bengals in Cincinnati where several key players, including quarterback Joe Flacco and defensive end Myles Garrett will sit out.
Here’s what, and who we are watching for against Cincinnati.
The Browns can tie the franchise record for wins in a single regular season with their 12th Sunday. Kevin Stefanski is the only coach other than Paul Brown to win 11 games in a regular season multiple times for the Browns.
Cleveland has won nine of the last 11 in the series between the two teams and seeks to sweep the Bengals for the fourth time in six years.
Jake Driskel can become the fifth quarterback to win a game for the Browns this season. Cleveland signed Driskel off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on December 29 as he will start in place of Flacco, who has gone 4-1 since taking over as the starter December 3.
The Browns aim to finish the regular season with the No. 1 ranked defense. Currently they lead the league by allowing of 266.6 yards per game, which is the lowest average allowed since the 2009 New York Jets, who allowed 252.3, and the fewest average allowed since the Browns’ 1957 season. Cleveland has also allowed opponents to convert a league low 29.4% on third down and surrendered 231 first downs – the fewest in the league by 47.
Last week – Browns beat the Jets 37-20, Bengals lost to the Chiefs 25-17
The last time – September 10, 2023: Browns 24, Bengals 3
Series – Bengals lead 52-48
By the numbers – A look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Browns offense vs. Bengals defense:
Scoring: Browns 23.9, Bengals 23.1
Total yards: Browns 341.6, Bengals 382.8
Passing: Browns 222.1, Bengals 255.2
Rushing: Browns 119.6, Bengals 127.6
Browns defense vs. Bengals offense:
Scoring: Browns 20.7, Bengals 20.9
Total yards: Browns 266.6, Bengals 318.4
Passing: Browns 165.9, Bengals 234.4
Rushing: Browns 100.6, Bengals 84.0
Defensive stats
Sacks: Browns 46, Bengals 41
Takeaways: Browns 27, Bengals 24
Turnover differential: Browns -8, Bengals +9
Injury report – OUT: S Juan Thornhill (calf), WR Amari Cooper (heel), CB Mike Ford Jr. (calf), DE Myles Garrett (shoulder, hamstring), K Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring), CB Greg Newsome (knee); QUESTIONABLE: P Corey Bojorquez (left quad), WR Marquise Goodwin (knee), LB Jordan Kunaszyk (calf), WR Elijah Moore (concussion)
Uniforms – Orange helmet, white jersey, brown pants
Broadcast info – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX; TV: WOIO TV-19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. Paycor Stadium; Cincinnati, Ohio
Prediction – Bengals 23, Browns 16
Our prediction record – 10-6