The Cincinnati Bengals host the Cleveland Browns in the week nine Thursday Night Football matchup. Cincinnati is 7-0 and in first place in the AFC North while Cleveland is 2-6 and tied for third place in the AFC North.
The Bengals have looked like one of the best teams in football so far this year while the Browns have struggled like expected but this is a rivalry game which may mean it could be closer than people think.
The Browns will be without starting quarterback Josh McCown in this game as he is dealing with a rib injury so that means Johnny Manziel will get the start. Manziel made his NFL debut against the Bengals last season and it did not go well as he threw for just 80 yards while getting picked twice in a 30-0 loss. There are reports out there that the Browns hope Manziel can earn the job full-time with his performance this week so it's a big game for "Johnny Football."
So far this season the Bengals have had no run game worth speaking of as they have averaged just 3.4 yards per carry but they have had some very productive pass catchers. Travis Benjamin started off the season great and although he has faded a little bit he still has more than 600 yards receiving and four touchdowns. The biggest surprise for the Browns though is 30 year old tight end Gary Barnidge who has burst onto the scene and become one of the best tight ends in football. Barnidge leads the team with 40 catches and six touchdowns and also has 567 receiving yards.
On defense the Browns have one of the best cornerbacks in football in Joe Haden who has given Bengals star receiver A.J. Green fits in the past but he likely won't play in this game as he is dealing with his second concussion this season.
As for the Bengals they are getting an MVP type of year from Andy Dalton so far if Tom Brady wasn't in the league. Dalton has completed 66 percent of his passes for close to 2000 yards with 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions so far. Dalton and Green have continued their strong connection as Green leads the team with 46 catches for 649 yards so far this season. Tight end Tyler Eifert has also come on strong so far this season as he leads the team with six touchdown catches.
The Bengals have been using their two running backs, Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, about an equal amount so far this season. Hill gets more of the carries while Bernard is the pass catcher but so far this season Bernard has been the much better player as he is averaging 5.6 yards per carry compared to Hill's 3.3.
Sixth year defensive end Carlos Dunlap leads the team with 6.5 sacks so far this season and has gotten at least one in four of the last five games. He is dealing with a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable but he will reportedly warm-up before the game and is expected to give it a go.
The Browns certainly have their work cut out for them in this one as the Bengals have only lost to the Browns twice in the last 11 meetings at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns did win in Cincinnati last season but this year it looks like the two teams are headed in opposite directions.
The game kicks off at 8:25 P.M. Eastern time and to watch the live stream go here. For the Bengals radio broadcast go here and for the Browns radio broadcast go here.
