PFF: No seriously, the Browns offensive line is really good
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November 5, 2015“Remember remember the fifth of November
Victory, glory is sought.
I see no reason why Battles of Buckeyes
Should ever be forgot…”
Voila! Behold two variant football teams: one victorious and virulent, the other vexing and vulgar. The vanguard Bengals (7-0) view wins vividly with vim and vigor. The Browns (2-6) venture south on their voyage with various injuries as the vapors of hope vanish in November. Cleveland, while volatile, vaguely vow they can vie for victory in southwest Ohio. The Bengals, more viper than vole, value the volume in The Jungle and verge on history. What will be the verdict?
Familiar Faces:
LB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State: A four-year linebacker, including the 2002 National Championship season, A. J. Hawk played standout defense in Columbus. Hawk won the Lombardi Trophy as a senior in 2005 and twice earned All-American honors. In 51 games as a Buckeye he totaled 394 tackles, including 41 for loss, and 15.5 sacks. He played ten seasons for the Green Bay Packers and joined the Bengals before the 2015 campaign.
P Kevin Huber, Cincinnati: Kevin Huber knows the Queen City well. He was born in Cincinnati, played high school football in Cincinnati, kicked at the University of Cincinnati, and now punts for the Bengals. In college he averaged 45.0 yards per kick and has maintained that pedigree as a professional. This season he ranks fourth in the league in net yardage (43.1).
K Mike Nugent, Ohio State: The team’s third Ohio native hails from Centerville. A prolific kicker at Ohio State, Nugent set 22 school records, including 356 career points, and twice earned All-American honors (2002, 2004) as well as the 2004 Lou Groza Award. The Bengals signed Nugent before the 2010 season where he been booting the ball ever since. He is 10-of-13 on the year so far.
Last Browns Win: Week 10, 2014. Browns 24 @ Bengals 3
Playing for a national TV audience on a Thursday night, the Browns led wire-to-wire for a road victory. Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell, and Terrance West each ran for a touchdown. Brian Hoyer managed the game handsomely and helped steer the Browns to a 6-3 record and sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Fun fact: Of those three running backs, one is still with the team a year later.
Last Browns Loss: Week 15, 2014. Browns 0 – Bengals 30
Embarrassing. That’s the best way to describe the 30-0 defeat the Browns suffered last December. With the Johnny Football Hype Machine cranked to “11,” the rookie failed to do much of anything in his first career start. Cincinnati claimed an early 7-0 lead and did not look back. Jeremy Hill ran for two touchdowns, and Mike Nugent kicked three field goals. The Browns ran only five plays in Cincinnati territory and generally looked impotent on both sides of the ball.
[Related: America’s Guide to Watching the Browns]
On tap this week:
The Bengals enter Thursday’s game as one of the NFL’s biggest surprises. Undefeated through seven games, they have opened up a 3.5 game lead in the traditionally difficult AFC North. Cincinnati ranks third in points scored (198) and sixth in yards (2,758). Quarterback Andy Dalton steers a proficient offense and has thrown 153-of-231 passes (66 percent) for 1,992 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions this year. Browns head coach Mike Pettine knows Dalton may pick at Cleveland’s injured secondary on Thursday. “He is very decisive with his reads and when he throws the ball, he has been accurate,” the coach said. The running attack employs both Jeremy Hill (292 yards, five touchdowns) and Giovani Bernard (439 yards, two touchdowns). The always dangerous A. J. Green remains the Bengals’ biggest receiving threat.
Defensively, the Bengals have allowed 24 points or less in each of their first seven games. The team is plus-four in turnover margin, and ranks fifth in rushing touchdowns allowed. The strong defensive line could prove trouble for a Browns team looking to establish a running game. With two wide receivers out of commission on Thursday, Cleveland will likely look to Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. to move the offense. After accruing only 39 yards against Arizona, it will be hard to do worse against Cincinnati.
The Browns arrived in Cincinnati on Wednesday — the healthy ones did, at least. Six starters are listed as “out” for the game: cornerback Joe Haden (concussion), wideout Brian Hartline (concussion), wideout Andrew Hawkins (concussion), safety Donte Whitner (concussion), safety Jordan Poyer (shoulder), and quarterback Josh McCown (ribs/right shoulder). The Browns will feel those missing folks in all phases of the game, but the most significant outage may be McCown.
The veteran’s injury opens the door for second-year passer Johnny Manziel to make his second start of the year. In Week 2, Manziel led the Browns to a 28-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Significantly, Manziel’s first career start occurred last season at home against the Bengals. Manziel unequivocably wilted to the tune of 10-of-18 passing, 80 yards, and two interceptions. Mike Pettine says that the Manziel the Bengals face on Thursday will be a different player than last year. “He made his biggest improvement with his demeanor in the pocket.” The coach went on: “I think he has a really good understanding of what we’re doing, understands the plays.” Understanding is a great start, but the Bengals will do their best to make Manziel feel like a rookie again under the primetime lights.
With a 2-6 record, the writing appears to be on the wall for the Browns’ season. The club would need to win out to legitimately be in the playoff conversation. While feasible, no one would call it likely. What the Browns can do, however, is hold firm in their own state. Cincinnati leads the Battle of Ohio, 44-39. The Browns have not swept the series since 2002, when the team earned a 20-7 home victory and a 27-20 road triumph. With the Lombardi Trophy out of reach, Cleveland can still earn bragging rights for their fans. The Bengals present a legitimate challenge and the short week disrupts preparation, but the opportunity remains. With a nation watching, the Browns can give them a contest to remember.
***
The future of the Browns will be on display against their first place division rival. Those making the estimated four-hour drive can find Cincinnati hotels on Hipmunk.com to stay overnight, or the most diehard fans from further away can find Cincinnati flight deals on Hipmunk as well.
1 Comment
Prime time Andy Dalton is coming to gak up a soup bone tonight. Its going to happen