The Browns beat their in-state rivals 35-30 back in Week 2.
CINCINNATI — The Browns are currently 4-2, their best start since 2001. But if you we’re listening to some fans and analysts this week, you would think the season was spiraling out of control.
Last Sunday’s 38-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers ushered in a wave of (mostly negative) emotions, with Clevelanders wondering both about the state of the team and even the future of the starting quarterback. Baker Mayfield had one of the worst games of his career, throwing two interceptions as he ran for his life behind an overwhelmed offensive line.
Fortunately, the Browns have a good chance to get win number five this afternoon, as they head to Cincinnati to face the 1-4-1 Bengals. Cleveland won the year’s first “Battle of Ohio” back in Week 2, 35-30, and enter having taken four of the last five in the rivalry. A victory today would go a long way towards quelling fans’ concerns.
Mayfield’s status had been in doubt due to a a rib injury suffered in Week 5, but he will start under center. Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper will not be available, however, as the offseason pick-up had his appendix removed just days ago. The Bengals will also be shorthanded, with running back Joe Mixon out with a foot issue.
3News’ Ben Axelrod previewed the matchup this morning:
What follows is a drive-by-drive live blog of the action, with the most recent plays and updates listed towards the top. Stay tuned for more analysis all day on 3News and WKYC.com:
3RD QUARTER
9:32: Baker Mayfield is finding his grove, hitting Harrison Bryant from 6 yards out for their second touchdown connection of the day. The Browns and Bengals are now tied at 17.
2ND QUARTER
0:15: Tyler Boyd makes a nice catch in traffic for an 11-yard touchdown, and the Bengals retake the lead 17-0 just before halftime.
3:39: A long, methodical Browns drive ends with Baker Mayfield hitting Harrison Bryant for a 2-yard touchdown pass. We’re all knotted up at 10.
The big play came on a 28-yard catch-and-run by Jarvis Landry, his first reception of the day.
11:09: Joe Burrow leads the Bengals on another long drive before being sacked by Kevin Johnson and Sheldon Richardson. Randy Bullock’s 37-yard field goal is good, however, and Cincinnati takes a 10-3 lead.
Another update: Odell Beckham Jr. will not return with a knee injury.
1ST QUARTER
1:21: The Browns stall again after the takeaway, but Cody Parkey’s 42-yard field goal attempt is good to make it a 7-3 ballgame. On the negative side, Baker Mayfield is now 0-for-5 passing to start the afternoon.
3:08: Myles Garrett to the rescue! The Browns’ star defender gets yet another strip sack, and Ronnie Harrison pounces on the loose ball. 1st and 10 for Cleveland at the Cincinnati 36-yard line.
4:56: Kareem Hunt runs for a first down, but the Browns stall and are forced to punt. Jamie Gillan has to kick twice due to a penalty on the first attempt, and the Bengals will start on their own 25.
JC Tretter returned for Cleveland, but Odell Beckham Jr. is listed as questionable with a knee injury.
6:47: A pass interference penalty by Kevin Johnson puts the ball at the 1-yard line, and two plays later Joe Burrow sneaks it in to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead. In more bad news, Odell Beckham Jr. has been taken to the locker room after suffering an injury.
8:21: In what can only be described as a complete disaster, Baker Mayfield’s first pass is intercepted and returned by Darius Phillips all the way to the Browns 24. What’s more, both Odell Beckham Jr. and JC Tretter are down on the turf with injuries.
9:16: The Bengals got a few 3rd down conversions to get all the way near the goal line before a Joe Burrow pass was deflected by Denzel Ward and intercepted by B.J. Goodson. The Browns will get the ball for the first time on their own 4-yard line.