In the second installment of the Battle for Ohio, the Bengals defeated the Browns 23-20 to sweep the season series and improve their record to 7-4. The disappointing season continues in Cleveland, as the Browns led in both games before surrendering leads in the fourth quarter. The Browns dropped to 4-7.
Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green returned to the lineup after missing a game and a half due to a hyperextended knee. He brought back his breathtaking big play capacity to the Bengals offense as Green had just 3 receptions, but totaled 110 yards, including a leaping 51-yard reception to set up the game winning field goal with 0:38 left, completing the comeback.
Andy Dalton had a solid day, going 21 of 31 for 270 yards and 1 TD, a 22-yarder to Jermaine Gresham with 1:22 left in the third quarter, the beginning of 13 uncontested points by the Bengals to rally from 10 points down to the 3 point victory.
Cincinnati also totaled 132 yards rushing, led by Cedric Benson’s 21 carries for 106 yards and 1 TD.
The Browns offense played much better than they have (on the season – 24th in passing, 29th in rushing), as they totaled 134 yards rushing, with Peyton Hillis back in the lineup. Hillis had 19 carries for 65 yards. Colt McCoy added 38 yards rushing, along with his 151 passing yards and 2 TD passes; however, he completed less than half his attempts (16 of 34) and threw 1 INT.
Ultimately, the defense once again gave up the big play down the stretch that cost them the game. In their first meeting this season, back in Week One, the Browns were leading in the fourth quarter when A.J. Green caught a 41-yard TD pass with 4:28 left in the fourth. Green is rapidly becoming the second most hated man in Cleveland (Lebron James will hold the top spot for years to come).
The Bengals at 7-4 are currently in position to snag one of the two Wild Card slots in the AFC, as both they and the Steelers have 7 wins. They face the Steelers next weekend in a critical game to keep their playoff momentum, as the winner will lock up the inside track for the first Wild Card and the loser will be in a dogfight for the second slot.
