Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) – Cleveland Browns (3-11): 24-6
The Bengals emerge victorious from the Battle of Ohio against the Browns who performed poorly. On the shoulders of a still decisive Joe Burrow, the Tigers took advantage of the errors of their sworn enemy to achieve a victory which – mathematically – keeps them in the race for the playoffs. The defense held up well and generated pressure to disrupt the opposing game; the attack did the job despite an almost sterile second half. But in the end the Bengals did not have to force their talent and almost did not have to score to win.
As for their opponents, the evening had a bitter taste. Completely helpless in the first half, the Browns played sparing partners in the second half, but errors and turnovers killed any hope of playing spoilsport. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has athletic qualities, but does not seem to be a solution for the Hounds attack. The only area that worked tonight was the defensive line, which regularly put pressure on Burrow, enough to disrupt the Bengals' advance.
The tigers purr
From the first action of the game, the Browns tested the Bengals defense. Jerome Ford (RB, 131 yards, 1 TD) explodes for 66 yards and places his squad in the red zone. Unfortunately for the hounds D'Onta Foreman (RB) loses the leather just before crossing the line and gives possession back to the tigers. These don't waste this opportunity. Joe Burrow (QB, 23/30, 252 yards, 3 TDs) alerts his playmakers and distributes the leather. Ja'Marr Chase (WR, 97 yards, 1 TD) sneaks, Tee Higgins (WR, 58 yards, 1 TD) interferes, and Chase Brown (RB, 109 yards) pierces. With disconcerting ease, Cincinnati advances 95 yards, until Burrow, off balance, plays his best imitation of Patrick Mahomes to find Higgins in the paint. The sacks are piling up, the coverage is there, the attack is moving forward, everything would be fine for the tigers if it wasn't for a missed field goal to take off.
A few exchanges of punts, and we find the Bengals in the opposing red zone. The Browns backfield resists a few actions, but Burrow ends up connecting with Andreï Iosivas (WR, 53 yards, 1 TD) in the middle for the break. As the break approaches, the tigers appear threatening again. Burrow continues to play Houdini under pressure and leads his troops within kicking range. This time the 59-yard attempt was successful, and the Bengals returned to the locker room with a three-score lead. Opposite, the Browns produced 0 passing yards and apart from their first big run only produced 20 yards during the half. 17-0 Ohio.
Hounds with filed fangs
Back on the field, Cleveland comes back to life. David Njoku (TE, 66 yards) finds the intervals, and Ford slides into the center to cross the line and offer the first points to his team. But as a sign, the transformation is unsuccessful. However, the attack continues to progress, helped by penalties on the Cincinnati side. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB, 20/34, 157 yards, 2 INT) finds solutions on the ground, relies on the running game, and it's the turn of the dogs to be threatening.
At the start of the final quarter, the Browns found themselves a few yards from the paint, but fell back deep on two consecutive holdings. Thompson-Robinson then forces a pass into coverage to close the gap, and is intercepted. And like a mirror effect, from the next series the spell repeats itself. The quarterback, under pressure, comes out of his pocket, throws a pass that ricochets and lands in the hands of the defense. Fate persists, it's too much. Cincinnati finally comes out of its apathy and goes for the jugular. Burrow finds Iosivas for 32 yards, Chase demonstrates his magical powers, we think the game is over. However, Burrow released the leather on a pressure on his step back 2 yards from the line, and the Browns left with the ball. But now the dogs are playing against the clock. Thompson-Robinson must fight for his life against a wild rush at every action, and despite his improvisations he cannot find the solutions and must give the ball back. The tigers finally have the right opportunity to seal the game. On a free play, Burrow throws the bomb and Chase is on the reception down the line for the winning touchdown. Game, set and match, the battle of Ohio holds its winner.
