The Cincinnati Bengals haven’t won a game in Cleveland since October of 2017. Quarterback Joe Burrow was still in college at Ohio State, that’s how long ago it was since the Bengals left Cleveland with a victory.
Zac Taylor is 0-5 in Cleveland since becoming the Bengals’ head coach. Not one player on Cincinnati’s current roster has experienced a win in Cleveland. It’s not something anyone in the franchise should or does feel good about.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo reminded his group of their record in Cleveland when Cincinnati’s defense met as a unit on Wednesday.
“It’s terrible,” Anarumo said of the Bengals’ record in Cleveland. “I made everybody aware of it this morning in our defensive meeting room that we have yet to get on the bus happy. They are aware of what that building presents, what that team presents to us and the challenges. We have to step it up and do better.”
Bengals vs Browns record, history
While each game has a different story, when a statistic is so lopsided in one direction, it begs the question: What is it about the Browns that gives the Bengals such issues?The easy and most popular answer is Cleveland’s All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft has recorded 12 sacks in 10 games against the Bengals. Garrett has sacked Burrow more than any other player in the NFL with eight total sacks and 21 total pressures in six games against Burrow.
Cincinnati must have a better plan and execute it against Garrett come Sunday. Rookie starting right tackle Amarius Mims will have his hands full trying to slow down the reining Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett is at the forefront of the Bengals’ game plan and he’s got the attention of everyone in the building.
Bengals offense vs Browns defense
Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said he builds the offensive game plan around Garrett.
“My scheme background prior to this year was very much the known passing down situations. It was always at the forefront of my thought process. Solve that problem first and then within whatever you are able to build that tries to solve that problem. He’s a dynamic player. Then you can decide what you want to do downfield.”
In order for the Bengals to win in Cleveland, they must get off to a fast start on offense to force Cleveland to play a different style of offense than what they traditionally want to do. After a few weeks of high-level play on offense, the Bengals took a step backwards against the Giants on Sunday night.
Taylor and Pitcher said most of the Bengals’ issues were self-inflicted against the Giants and they don’t see any negative trends developing. Similar to Cincinnati, the Browns’ record might be deceiving this year. Most of their issues this year have come on the offensive side of the ball, though.
Joe Burrow on playing the Browns
The Bengals are going to have to play really well on offense to win this game. Burrow knows it, too.
“This is one that we need,” Burrow said. “It's going to be a very similar game to last week. Really good defense, great front, good secondary, so we're going to have to be smart with the ball, take our explosives when they are there, stay on track. We can't get behind the sticks because of how good their front is. It will be a challenge, but we're going to be ready for it.”
Running back Nick Chubb is expected to make his return to the field for the first time this season after suffering a season-ending knee injury last season. Chubb has presented all sorts of problems for Cincinnati’s defense in the past.
Between Chubb and Garrett, the Bengals know they’ll have their hands full. Burrow says the urgency inside the walls of Cincinnati’s team facility is high.
How that translates on Sunday remains to be seen. Losing to the Browns again in Cleveland and falling to 2-5 on the year – and most importantly 0-2 in the AFC North – would be problematic for the Bengals.
This is a game the Bengals must win and everyone knows it.
“We haven't had success against this divisional opponent so that's always frustrating and something we're always striving for, so we need to go get this one,” Burrow said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Burrow, Bengals coaches understand they must change road record vs. Browns
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