For the first time since the 2019 season started back in September, the Cincinnati Bengals enter a game looking to establish a winning streak.
The Bengals won their first game of the season during their 12th attempt after solidifying the worst start in franchise history, besting the visiting New York Jets.
Now the Andy Dalton-led Bengals — back from a three-game benching — travel a short distance to take on the Cleveland Browns in the first of two Battle of Ohio AFC North matchups.
The Bengals will continue to hope two budding strengths can carry them to victory — the running game and pass rush. After some shifts in approach up front, Joe Mixon has come alive over the last four games, securing his first rushing score and 100-yard performance in the process.
Defensively, Carlos Dunlap finally seems fully healthy and put up a three-sack performance against the Jets. The return and efficiency of Carl Lawson as a pressure creator has helped boost the entire defense.
But coming out of that win, there’s also a sense the Jets just couldn’t get out of their own way.
Lucky for the Bengals — that seems to be one of the themes surrounding Cleveland’s season.
The much-hyped Browns are 5-7 and a week ago ruined a three-game streak with a loss to Pittsburgh. Baker Mayfield, completing just 60 percent of his passes with one more touchdown than interception, hurt his hand on a helmet and is also dealing with an apparent rib injury.
Regardless of who is to blame, the Browns only average 20.5 points per game. That’s with sporadic, big outbursts, including dropping 40 on Baltimore randomly.
Cliche as it might sound, this one feels like a flip of the coin. On paper, the Bengals should be able to run the ball well against one of the league’s worst run-defense units. But the Bengals boast the league’s outright worst, so the Browns could cruise in this area too.
Gut feeling? These Bengals have never stopped fighting all season and now that they have a taste of winning with a rejuvenated Dalton back under center, they keep it rolling. The Browns have talent, but that hasn’t been the problem all season. Look for Mixon to have a day.
Prediction: Bengals 24, Browns 21
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