<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0QpbfE_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0QpbfE_0wDkhUGZ00" width="1320" height="743" >CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Here are five storylines of note in Sunday's Bengals game at the Cleveland Browns, which will kick off at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland and can be seen on Local 12.:5. Bengals may be able to lean into their running gameThe Skinny: After the Bengals rushing attack got off to a sluggish start, averaging 72.0 yards and 3.8 yards per attempt in the first two games, it has sprung to life, sometimes in a big play way, in three of the last four games, and it could be something that they may able to lean on in this game.The Browns rank 20th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at 137.3 and are tied for 24th in yards per attempt allowed at 4.7. <img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2198OW_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2198OW_0wDkhUGZ00" width="300" height="246" ><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Tk8xV_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Tk8xV_0wDkhUGZ00" width="648" height="365" >In three of the last four games -- against Washington, at Carolina and at the New York Giants -- the Bengals rushed for at least 121 yards, averaged 128.7 per game and averaged 5.4 yards per attempt."It gives you the balance, the rhythm, not balance in the sense that, like, 'Oh, you got you do one (run) half the time, the other (pass) half the time.' It's just that there's the presentation to the defense, the threat to the defense that we can and will run the ball," said Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. "It's good from a psyche standpoint, for your team to be, we talk all the time about being the aggressor ... the physical aggressor, and what that means for the line and for the tight ends and for the backs and the receivers blocking, there's value in that, and so I think it's helped us in that way, for sure."Second-year running back Chase Brown has helped fuel the rushing attack as he averaged 60.3 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. He has had runs of 10 yards or more on 10 of his 51 carries, including a 30-yard touchdown run with less than two minutes left in this past Sunday's 17-7 win at the New York Giants, which actually may not have been a prudent decision on his part, but showcased his big play ability. "We've always prided ourselves on the efficiency of our run game, and that it helps us stay on track. But if you can take that to the next level, not only are we just staying efficient and on track, we're popping 10, 12, 30 yard runs," said Pitcher. "It's a big deal. He's definitely been a big part of that."Pitcher said running the ball effectively also has the chance to slow down Cleveland's potent pass rush. The Browns have 15 quarterback sacks."It's a big part of how you how you need to be able to counteract a unit like this that's geared up to be able to rush the hell out of the passer and play good coverage in the back end," said Pitcher. "If you find yourself in a game where you're having to do that a disproportionate amount of time, you're playing into their strengths, so we have to be able to run it. We got to be able to be able to establish a rhythm, and then thankfully for us, we have the guys that can win on the perimeter, even against the caliber defenders that they're lining up across from. Not everybody can say that. It's incumbent on our winners to go win and us to have a balanced attack."Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he believes the Bengals are better built to play in the AFC North this season."The way we are playing this year stylistically fits the division a little more," said Burrow. "I think we’ll be able to run the ball well on Sunday. I like the run game plan. We’ll see how it plays out. We’ll be ready to drop back 50 times if we need to just like always, but it will be nice to have a big time game on the ground." 4. Bengals will be first to face Chubb since 2023 injuryThe Skinny: In last season's opener at Cleveland, Browns running back Nick Chubb rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries to help lead the way to a 24-3 win over the Bengals, but then he suffered a gruesome knee injury the next week at Pittsburgh, and hasn't played a game since.He is expected to play in this game even though he is officially listed as questionable on the injury report.Chubb needed two surgeries to repair two torn ligaments along with the medial capsule and meniscus in his left knee. It was the same knee he injured in college at Georgia in 2015.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1GGtBP_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1GGtBP_0wDkhUGZ00" width="648" height="365" ><figcaption>Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against Logan Wilson #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>“It’s been a lot of downs, a lot of hard work, a lot of stress," Chubb said earlier this week, according to the Associated Press.Chubb, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in four of his first five NFL seasons, has rushed for more yards against the Bengals than any team he has faced in his career, averaging 90.3 yards and 5.2 yards per carry in 10 games against them.Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said he expects a heavy dose of Chubb even in his first game back."He's a great, great, great football player," said Anarumo. "Means a lot to that team, that city, and you know, quite sure, he'll get introduced last, and the stadium will be going nuts, as they should, for a player of that magnitude. We have the utmost respect for him, and we're going to do what we do and try to get guys in position, because it's harder just to get him down with one guy. He's a great not only he's a great puncture runner frontside, but he can stick his foot in the ground and cut back better than most. He's a handful." 3. Browns end Garrett has been a major problem for BengalsThe Skinny: Just like Chubb has excelled against the Bengals in his career so to has Browns standout defensive end Myles Garrett. In 10 career games against the Bengals, Garrett recorded 12 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. The Browns went 8-2 in those 10 games.“He takes a lot of time and attention (in preparation), and he deserves it," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. "He's a tremendous player, so he's certainly a big focus this week. They've got a lot of great players. You focus on the defensive side of the ball, Pro Bowl players at all positions, All-Pro players at all positions. Just collectively, it's a really tough group. They're really fast. But certainly in 95, he grabs your attention. From the first snap you watch to the final one over the years, he's always been a problem. So, great player."Pitcher said game plan preparation for the Browns begins with how to block Garrett and develops from there. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1TDVCR_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1TDVCR_0wDkhUGZ00" width="648" height="364" ><figcaption>Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, right, during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/David Richard)</figcaption></figure>"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," said Pitcher. "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. I think you get in trouble when you start the other way and you come up with all these great ideas how to attack the back end of the defense and then retro fit those ideas to the protection part. To me, you’re doing it backwards. It really starts with their best players and they've got really good ones and he’s the best. It starts with him. He's a problem for everybody. He's a defensive player of the year candidate year after year after year. "The 6-foot-4, 272-pound Garrett was selected AP Defensive Player of the Year last season and was an AP First Team All-Pro selection three times in his first seven seasons and a Second Team selection twice.Garrett will line up on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and sometimes even inside."They’ve always had packages where they’ve moved him," said Pitcher. "I think you go back to one of the first third downs of last year in the first game of the year, they stood him up over our center. That’s not new. I think he probably has the freedom, being the caliber of player that he is, to move from left to right side if he feels like he needs to. He’s primarily been on our left. We’ll be prepared for either. I don’t see much difference. I see the same extremely impactful game-changing player that we’ve always seen." <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0hHo1K_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0hHo1K_0wDkhUGZ00" width="648" height="365" ><figcaption>Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals is sacked by Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>Rookie right tackle Amarius Mims said he respects Garrett's ability."He's a great player, one of the best in the NFL, if not the best," said Mims. "You just have to approach it like you do every other week. No matter who is on the other side of the ball you have to have the same approach. He's a great player, but it starts with us first. If we do what we're supposed to do, we'll do our best to neutralize him. We work hard and we're going to find good ways to out-scheme people. It just comes down want to and to technique. Never get away from the things that go you where you're at - fundamentals and technique. He pops on film, on TV, every time, every game he's in, he's going to pop even if that special teams blocking PATs or field goals. He's going to be on those guys you're going to see every week making plays. It's just about us - how can we do our best to neutralize him? It starts with us first."Garrett blocked a field goal in last week's 20-16 loss at Philadelphia that safety Rodney McLeod scooped up and scored the Browns lone touchdown.2. Higgins looking to make up for 0-fer in 2023 game in ClevelandThe Skinny: Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has failed to record a catch in only two of his 69 career games played - one of those coming in the final game of his rookie season when he played only three snaps before leaving with a hamstring injury and the other coming in last season's 24-3 loss at Cleveland in the opener. Higgins was targeted eight times in that game, but a physically comprised Burrow due to a calf strain and a steady rain combined for Higgins to be shut out.Higgins enters this game with 25 catches for 259 yards and two touchdowns in the last four games after he missed the first two due to a hamstring injury.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=353qq3_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=353qq3_0wDkhUGZ00" width="648" height="365" ><blockquote>“He's had some really physical plays so far," said Taylor. "I can think of a lot of the past. You're pulling up old plays all the time, so I'm always watching old tape, but I think this year he's playing as well as he's ever played. We have to continue to find ways to get him opportunities. We've got a lot of good players, you’re trying to get them all touches, but when he gets his, he certainly has made people pay for it and really excited about how he's playing right now.”</blockquote>Burrow said he's noticed Higgins being more physical after the catch this season."I think he's playing with a chip on his shoulder this year," said Burrow. "I think his level of urgency since he came back has been high. He's been excited about his ability to go out and make plays this year, and he's continuing to show that he can. He's going to continue to get a lot of opportunities. When he gets the ball in his hands he's been lowering his shoulder and getting those extra 4-5 yards, which the way teams play us has been big. Big time player, makes big time plays in big time spots and he's going to continue to do that." Higgins is playing this season under the franchise tag, and he could be a free agent after this season.<blockquote>“It’s a big year for me so definitely playing with a little more extra ... ooomph," said Higgins. “I’ve been taking a lot of hits this season. I’ll put it like this, any way you get me the ball, I’m all for it. It ain’t going to do nothing but help me in the long run.”</blockquote>Burrow joked that Higgins is getting up quicker after taking hits this season."I think he's gotten better at that year to year," said Burrow. "You really saw him fighting for extra yards on Sunday. He did a great job of doing that. Rookie Tee, his pop up game wasn't quite as good, but now he gets hit and pops right back up. You don't have to hold your breath every time. His pop up game has improved a lot, so that's been good to see."1. Despite woeful play, Watson still Browns starting QBThe Skinny: Despite Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's abysmal performance for the most part this season, head coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier in the week that he is sticking with him, although it's not quite clear if that is Stefanski's decision or owner Jimmy Haslem's decision no matter what Stefanski says. <img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Axs1C_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Axs1C_0wDkhUGZ00" width="648" height="365" >“We have a good dialogue with myself, (GM) Andrew (Berry), ownership, about all things that have to do with this team,” Stefanski said, according to the Associated Press. “They’ve been nothing but supportive, and any decision when it comes to football is my decision. I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win."The Browns haven’t scored 20 points in a game this season or reached 300 yards -- the only NFL team with either distinction -- and have scored one offensive touchdown in their last 29 possessions.Watson is averaging 170.0 yards per game passing, has yet to record a 200-yard game and has a passer rating of 76.6, which ranks 28th among qualifying quarterbacks. He has also been sacked 31 times. It doesn't help that the Browns just traded top wide receiver Amari Cooper earlier this week. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3gtzU9_0wDkhUGZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3gtzU9_0wDkhUGZ00" width="648" height="364" ><figcaption>Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to throw past Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)</figcaption></figure><blockquote>"I think overall, I just think that, you know, they've done some good things," said Anarumo. "Obviously, the numbers aren't where they've been and what they're used to there on offense. I think not having Chubb has been a big factor in that. Rhythm wise, they seem to be maybe just a tad off, but, you know, they've played some good defenses, and, you know, I think that they're a quality team of quality players. They've always given us trouble up there, so we got our hands full."</blockquote>PREDICTION: Bengals 26, Browns 16The Skinny: Chubb's return should help Cleveland's offense some, but it's hard to imagine he gets a lot of carries due to it being his first game back, and it's hard to fathom Cleveland's passing attack suddenly coming to life without Cooper.The Bengals running attack should help keep the Browns pass rush from completely teeing off, and set the stage for a solid victory.</div></body>

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Woeful play of Deshaun Watson in focus for Bengals defense in latest matchup with Browns

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Here are five storylines of note in Sunday's Bengals game at the Cleveland Browns, which will kick off at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland and can be seen on Local 12.:. 5. Bengals may be able to lean into their running game. The Skinny:...

Woeful play of Deshaun Watson in focus for Bengals defense in latest matchup with Browns

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