NFL Week 4: Bengals, Browns already at pivotal points early in the season

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) – It would appear the NFL schedule continues to offer the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns opportunities to bounce back after a rough start to the 2024 season, but both teams have yet to take advantage. Could Sunday be the day?

Here are the keys to Week 4’s matchups:

Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-2)

Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, 1 p.m.

Red Rifle Reunion : The Bryce Young experiment is on hiatus in Carolina. After a dreadful two games – really, 18 games dating to the start of last season – the Panthers benched their former No. 1 overall draft pick. Young, who cost the team years of draft capital in a trade with the Chicago Bears, threw three interceptions and just 245 yards over two games in his second year, both losses.

The Panthers turned to an old soul and former Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton, who gave the offense life in a 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Carolina rushed for 131 yards (114 by Chuba Hubbard) and Dalton resurrected his 14-year career with 319 yards and three scores on the way to a 33-8 lead in the fourth quarter.

For the Bengals, it was predicted last week that the Washington Commanders could cause some headaches, but it was rookie phenom quarterback Jayden Daniels who out-Burrowed Joe Burrow in a 38-33 shootout. Though the Commanders rushed for three TDs, Daniels carved up the Bengals secondary, and outspoken CB Cameron Taylor-Britt, to the tune of 254 yards, including a back-breaking 27-yard rainbow TD to Terry McLaurin with 2:10 remaining.

Cincinnati allowed Washington to score on every possession save for two – the end of the half and regulation – and it was gashed on the ground Weeks 1 and 2. It must find some semblance of balance defensively in order to stop the bleeding one week before hosting the Ravens in Week 5.

Dalton, meanwhile, is 2-1 against his former team, with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

Line : Bengals 8½. O/U : 47½.

Prediction : The Bengals are too talented to fall to the Panthers, whose defense is actually worse. Cincinnati 30-20.

Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)

Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, 4:25 p.m.

Furiosa : Browns fans are angry, Raiders fans are angry, and Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett play angry. Something’s got to give. It could be the Raiders, who might be without their supreme pass-rusher. Questionable with an ankle sprain, Crosby missed the first two days of practice this week and was held in check last week against the Panthers (zero QB hits or tackle for losses). Losing a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate against a Cleveland team that leads the league in sacks allowed (16) would be a major blow.

Last week against the Giants, Browns QB Deshaun Watson was hit 17 times and sacked eight. While Watson reconnected with WR Amari Cooper seven times for 86 yards and two scores, he spent much of the game under duress, having to check down more often than not. So with or without Crosby, the Raiders can take advantage of a Cleveland OL that will be without LT Jedrick Willis Jr, OT Jack Conklin in addition to TE David Njoku. James Hudson III, who injured his shoulder against the Giants, will likely fill in at left tackle.

Line : Raiders 1½. O/U : 37½.

Prediction : The Browns begin a three-game trip in Vegas, but they are a far cry from Road Warriors at this point in the season. Mad Maxx and the Raiders send the Browns to beyond Thunderdome, 19-16.

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