Browns vs. Abel

That stench wafting in from the North is our divisional equal, the Cleveland Browns, as they make their way to Paul Brown Stadium this weekend for the Battle of the Beaten. With each unable to get a win so far, both teams will see this game as attainable, and ultimately, feel more pressured to turn their respective ship around now. This is a desperation game for both sides, as we move along to the second, and more daunting phase of the schedule.

There are many old-timers who have a special soft spot for the Brownies. After all, they were the team that was broadcasted on those old floor-model televisions our fathers watched before the Bengals existed. The mighty Paul Brown, coach, general manager, and owner of both Ohio franchises, was the common denominator each city could agree was great. Younger fans have no nostalgia for the Browns, and therefore have no respect for them. Both cities despise Pittsburgh too, but each fear and respect the Steelers due to their historical dominance of the division. Earning a spot to the playoffs after beating them in Pittsburgh, felt like we as Bengals fans had finally tasted what the real NFL was like. A win over the Browns is like beating your younger brother at arm wrestling; no big deal.

This time shouldn't be all that monumental either. The likelihood of Sunday’s game having any meaningful repercussions later on in the season is remote at best. Many will likely bypass watching the game altogether, writing it off as the lower rungs of what the NFL has to offer. Sure it’s a beautiful Sunday with plenty to do other than watch football, but the Bengals are going to win and that is a scarce thing to witness this season.

Cleveland’s defense isn’t much better than ours. Their attempts to improve the front line in the off-season by acquiring gigantic run-stuffers Cory Williams and Shawn Rodgers, seem to have no impact as they still rank 25th against the run and 23rd overall this season. The Brown’s secondary is particularly weak and Carson has traditionally thrown well against them.

The Brownies have struggled mightily on offense too, ranking dead last in yards-per-game. Like Week 2 of last year, Derek Anderson is one bad throw away from being benched. But unlike last year, Leon Hall will not get repeatedly roasted by receiver Braylon Edwards. Hall has looked good this year, while Edwards certainly has not (eight catches for 73 yards in three games).

Running back Jamal Lewis has been a Bengal-killer throughout his long AFC North career, but the Cincinnati defense last week shut down a back who is similar but better in Brandon Jacobs of the Giants. Lewis is averaging a pedestrian 52 yards rushing, while the team has only been good for 71 a game.

Bengal coaches say they’ve emphasized sacks and turnovers this week in practice. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has dialed up blitzes on some appropriate times during the games, but the extra pass-rushers simply aren’t finding ways to get to the quarterback. I think Zimmer and Co. will unleash the hounds against Anderson and hope he throws a pick or two.

Health continues to be an advantage for Cincinnati with only Joseph and Dexter Jackson out this week. Look for Cleveland to go after rookies David Jones and Simeon Castille, along with freshly acquired journeyman Jamar Fletcher, similar to how New York did last week.

Cleveland was listed as a dark horse to make a Super Bowl run. Many in this area felt that claim was a bit ambitious and now it’s become downright hilarious. The bitterness the dawg pound is undoubtedly spewing to the players via radio shows and message boards, appears to be getting through to them. Last week, numerous news sources reported that while piled up in a tackle, Browns’ linebackers tried to gouge Willis McGahee’s eyes out!

A loss would be the most shameful yet this season. All the naysaying you hear being murmured throughout the tri-state area would become deafening if we allow our bratty little brother to come in and take us down. No way that’s gonna happen.

Bengals 30, Browns 18


Mojokong - We love Paul Brown more than you do, Cleveland. Take that!