7 things to watch as Browns battle Bengals Tonight!
Tom Joyner News: 7 things to watch as Browns battle Bengals Tonight!
CLEVELAND – Hello Dawg Pound faithful! Here are 7 quick hits that could very well decide the fate of the Browns (5-3) against the Cincinnati Bengals (5-2-1) at Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday.
1.) Brian Hoyer vs. Andy Dalton
Two things can be said about the quarterback matchup on Thursday.
First, both quarterbacks do not put up mind-blowing numbers and neither will dazzle you with their athletic ability.
Second, but most important, both quarterbacks are winners.
Since joining the league in 2011 as a 2nd round pick, Dalton has gone 35-20-1, for a .633 winning percentage.
Since joining the Browns last year, Hoyer has gone 7-2 in games with at least 15 passing attempts. That’s a .778 winning percentage.
Obviously Dalton has a much larger sample size to work with.
When comparing the QBs stat lines this year, they aren’t too far off from each other.
- Hoyer: 2,014 passing yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs, 2 fumbles, 57.9 completion percentage and a 90.3 rating.
- Dalton: 1,874 passing yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs, 1 fumble, 64.9 completion percentage and an 88.3 rating.
And with the similarities, Dalton may give a glimpse of what’s to come with Hoyer in Cleveland, at least in terms of money.
Hoyer, who becomes a free agent after the season, is playing his way towards a contract extension.
This offseason, Cincinnati and Dalton agreed to a six-year deal worth $115 million. The only guaranteed money truly in the details though is $17 million and a $12 million signing bonus.
This puts Dalton in the second-tier level when it comes to quarterback salaries (the elite coming in the form of Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, etc.)
We’ve seen teams pony up some big bucks for mid-tier quarterbacks who maybe don’t put up big numbers, but fit a team’s system and help them win.
Examples of this include Joe Flacco, Colin Kaepernick, Alex Smith and Jay Cutler.
Side Note: Wonder if Chicago is regretting that contract yet?
If Hoyer continues to win, don’t be surprised if Cleveland works out a deal in the offseason that essentially pays Hoyer like a mid-tier quarterback in the style of a “pay as you go contract,” much like Dalton’s (but probably with less money, especially guaranteed money).
2.) Redemption for WRs Andre Hawkins and Greg Little
Thursday’s game will feature the first time wide outs Hawkins and Little face their former teams after being either released or not resigned.
While Hawkins has benefited from a change of scenery, Little has done, well little, to bounce back.
Which is why I found it amusing Little was talking about making the Browns “pay” for releasing him.
Look, nobody is responsible for the poor play of Little but himself.
ESPN points out Little leads the NFL in dropped passes since entering the league in 2011 with an 8.3 drop rate. In that time, Little has the fifth most drops with 25, with 23 of those coming with the Browns.
And it’s not like his fortune has changed in Cincinnati. The former 2nd round pick has posted a measly 4 catches for 55 yards in three games for the Bengals.
Maybe instead of trying to make the Browns play, Little should concentrate on putting up some numbers so he can get paid.
On the other hand, Hawkins is having a breakout season after switching AFC North rival teams.
The slot receiver has grabbed 39 catches for 304 yards and a touchdown.
With Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron out for a second straight week after suffering a concussion against the Oakland Raiders, the Browns really need to Hawkins to come out swinging against his former team.
It could also help if his son gets on board with the Browns!
[Note: Hawkins was last listed as questionable for Thursday’s matchup after suffering a thigh injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.]
3.) Browns have questions at running back
While the Browns rushing attack has gone from a roar to a whimper without Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, there is good news for Cleveland.
It so happens the Cincinnati is just as bad as the Browns at stopping the run.
Cincinnati and Cleveland are both give up an average of 139.6 rushing yards to opponents this year, good enough for second worst in the league.
What does this mean for the running backs in brown in orange uniforms?
Well, we aren’t quite sure yet.
It’s unclear if Terrance West or Ben Tate is listed as the number one back on the depth chart at this point, as ESPN’s Pat McManamon points out, West took 37 snaps compared to Tate’s 30 last week.
This is the first time since Tate’s been healthy that West received more snaps in a game.
In the scheme of things, the Browns will likely run whoever the hot ticket is at the moment. Expect to see Tate start against the Bengals and if he proves ineffective, be prepared to see West take over.
As for Isaiah Crowell, he didn’t take a single snap last week while only taking one handoff the week before.
It is interesting seeing that neither West nor Tate has put up remotely respectable numbers over the last few weeks.
Crowell had two fumbles against the Steelers in Week 6, so it’s understandable that head coach Mike Pettine would want to be careful with him.
What doesn’t make sense is that Pettine is keeping the player leading his team in yards per carry on the bench for a couple of rookie mistakes made nearly a month ago (which didn’t cost the team a victory).
Since the Browns dominated the Steelers (the game Mack went down in), West and Tate have combined to gain 132 yards on 68 carries – a 2.02 yards per carry average and an average of 44 rushing yards per game.
It just doesn’t make since that Pettine would give numerous chances to Travis Benjamin as a punt returner and not Crowell at running back.
Will Pettine stick to his guns on Thursday if West and Tate continue to be ineffective? Hopefully the Dawg Pound faithful will not have to find out.
Speaking of running backs, the Bengals have a couple of really good ones in Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill. Bernard was out last week against Jacksonville with a hip injury and is expected to be out again on Thursday.
Pro Football Focus points out Bernard is first among second-year running backs with five rushing TDs, which ranks sixth amongst all running backs this year.
In Bernard’s place last week, Hill steamrolled the Jags for 2 TDs and 154 yards on 24 carries, for an average of 6.4 yards per carry.
The physical running 2nd round pick out of LSU will be a handful for the Browns defense.
4.) History of Browns and Bengals on non-Sunday games
The Browns are playing on short rest with the Thursday night matchup. The most recent time they played on Thursday was last year on Oct. 3 when they defeated Buffalo 37-24.
Since 1999 (not including preseason games), the Browns are 2-4 when playing on Thursday. That’s a .333 winning percentage.
In those games, Cleveland has been outscored 128-106.
In games not played on Sunday since 1999 (not including preseason games), the Browns are 4-9. That’s a .308 winning percentage.
On Saturdays, they are 0-2, being outscored 61-14 in those two games. Their last Saturday game was a 20-14 loss to the Ravens on December 24, 2011.
On Mondays, Cleveland is 2-3 (.400 winning percentage), being outscored 113-94 in those five matchups. Their last Monday game was a loss to Baltimore on November 16, 2009.
To compare those numbers, since 1999 the Browns overall (not including preseason) are 82-166, for a .331 winning percentage.
So the Browns play slightly above their average on Monday games, but below their average on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Now this is how the Bengals square up to the Browns in non-Sunday games.
The Bengals are 1-3 (.250 winning percent) on Thursday games since 1999. In those games, they have been outscored 88-44.
Their most recent Thursday matchup was last season on Oct. 31, when they lost to the Detroit Lions 22-20 in overtime.
In games not played on Sunday since 1999 – (including playoffs, but excluding preseason) – Cincinnati is 6-11 (.353 winning percent), being outscored in those games 387-307.
In Saturday games, the Bengals are 1-5 (including three Wild Card losses) for a .167 winning percentage.
In those games, they have been outscored 147-100. Their last Saturday game was on January 5, 2013, when they lost to the Houston Texans 19-13 in the Wild Card for the second straight year.
On Mondays, Cincinnati is 3-3 (.500 winning percentage), being outscored in those matchups 145-120. Their last Monday night game was last season on Sept. 16, when they defeated the Steelers 20-10.
To compare those numbers, since 1999, the Bengals overall (not including playoffs and preseason) are 111-135-2 (including this year). That’s a winning percentage of .453.
So the Bengals play well below their overall average on Thursday and Saturday games, while playing above their average on Monday nights.
5.) Bengals dominate at Paul Brown Stadium
Folks, I’ll put the Dawg Pound faithful up against any fan base every day of the week.
But, I must say, Cincinnati is one tough team to face at home.
The Bengals have not lost a game at home since December 9, 2012. On that Sunday, they fell to the Dallas Cowboys 20-19 on a last second field goal.
Following that heart breaker, the Bengals have gone 13-0-1 at Paul Brown Stadium.
Since Dalton took the reins in 2011, Cincinnati has gone 19-8-1 at home.
That’s a .696 winning percentage.
Only three teams went undefeated at home last year, New Orleans, New England and Cincinnati.
The Patriots are also undefeated at home this year.
As if dealing with a team that can’t seem to lose at home wasn’t enough, what about when they bring the biggest motivational factor to the stands.
This brings us to our next point.
6.) Leah Still to attend Browns-Bengals game
If you haven’t heard the story of Devon and Leah Still, I encourage you to check it out here.
I’ll give you the very quick skinny if you’re not familiar.
Devon Still is a defense lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals. During training camp this year, coaches noticed a lack of preparation and concentration from the former 2nd round draft pick out of Penn State.
When asked what was troubling him, the coaching staff and organization learned Still’s 4-year-old daughter Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 pediatric cancer in June.
The team cut Still, but signed him to their practice squad. By doing this, Still was covered under their health insurance and it allowed him to spend more time with his daughter during her treatment.
Still called it a “blessing in disguise” at the time.
Leah has undergone surgery and upon her release from the hospital, is now attending her first game since treatment.
I’d recommend following Leah through Devon’s Instagram and Twitter account. She is mighty inspirational and just down right adorable.
But, needless to say, the Bengals and Paul Brown Stadium will be ready to give Leah a show like she’s never seen before. And the young lady deserves nothing less than Cincinnati’s best football.
The Browns better be ready for the intensity that’s about to come from the home team.
If you were wondering, Still’s jersey has jumped to the 11th best seller, according to ESPN, after the Bengals announced they would donate all proceeds from its sale to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and pediatric cancer research.
ESPN reports the Bengals are making good on that promise and will be presenting a check worth $1.3 million to Leah on behalf of all pediatric cancer patients. The ceremony will take place between the first and second quarter of Thursday’s game.
7.) Battle for positioning in the AFC North
Don’t look now, but if you haven’t noticed yet, the Browns are NOT in last place in the AFC North.
You may hear some people quip about a Browns game in November finally meaning something, but I feel all the Browns games mean something to Cleveland fans.
For the Dawg Pound faithufl, it’s a matter of pride.
It’s been sometime since Cleveland could say it was in position to make a run in the AFC North.
Let’s face it; Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati have fielded talented teams year in and year out recently.
With a weak out of conference schedule, Cleveland has a real shot at the playoffs IF it can handle AFC North competition.
And the stakes get higher on Thursday.
We are midway through the season and the Browns are jockeying for position at the top of the division.
With a victory at Paul Brown Stadium, the Browns do more than just pull into a tie for first place with the Steelers.
They make a statement that they are for real this year.
That’s enough talk for now, thanks for listening and hope you enjoy the weekend Dawg Pound faithful.
Side notes:
The following Browns made the PFF mid-season All Pro roster:
LT Joe Thomas and LB Karlos Dansby were first team selections, while rookie G Joel Bitonio made the honorable mention list.
LT Andrew Whitworth was listed as an honorable mention for Cincinnati.
Read more of this story at http://www.newsnet5.com/sports/browns/tims-take-7-things-to-watch-as-browns-battle-bengals
