Red Right 88

Browns vs. Bengals – Week 15

The Browns look to continue their quest for a .500 record as they head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals, who are currently riding an 11-game losing streak and who have not had consecutive winning seasons in 28 years.

The Opposition

Cincinnati: 2-10
Offensive rank: 24th overall/15th passing/30th rushing
Defensive rank: 20th overall/15th passing/24th rushing
Strength of schedule: 3rd
All-time record: Cincinnati leads 38-36, with a 23-14 edge at home. The Browns have lost five of the last six they’ve played in Cincy.
The line: Browns +1 (no respect)

What to Watch For

How will the Browns bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss in Buffalo?

How will Colt McCoy look after missing three games due to injury?

Can Peyton Hillis hold onto the ball and find his second wind as the season winds down?

How will the Browns defend the Bengals passing attack this time around?

In the first meeting the Browns double covered Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens had a huge day with 10 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown. But the Browns secondary has improved since then as Joe Haden is turning into a shutdown corner as the season progresses. His growth should mean the Browns can throw some different looks at the Bengals and not be burned so badly in the passing game.

The Best Browns vs. Bengals game I’ve Seen

The 1980 game the Browns won 27-24 to clinch the division title. The Browns won on a 22-yard field goal by Don Cockroft with 1:25 left in the game to end an eight-year playoff drought. The PD’s game story is here. Video is here, here and here.

The Prediction

The Browns offense finds its stride now that McCoy is back under center, Hillis hangs onto the ball, Haden single covers Owens, keeping him under control, and the Bengals losing streak, which started with a loss to the Browns in October, hits 12 games.

Record picking the Browns (using the point spread) this year: 2-10-1