Browns vs. Bengals: Breaking Down Cleveland's Game Plan

It is time for the Cleveland Browns to put up or shut up. It doesn’t get any bigger than a Thursday night nationally televised game against the Cincinnati Bengals for a piece of first place in the division. If they can get a victory on the road they will prove something to the nation but more importantly to themselves.

Unlike the last three weeks where the Browns were playing cupcakes, the game plan against the Bengals will be complex. For almost an entire month the Browns have been able to head into a game knowing that if they impose their will early the other team will collapse at the end. Twice they executed, and once they fell on their face.

The key component of the game plan this week is not letting the stage become too big for a young roster that has never been in this position. So how does head coach Mike Pettine know if the team's ready?

“I don't think you can,” said Pettine to the media on Tuesday. “I think, for guys that haven't gone through it, you're curious to see how they respond to it, and you're hopeful that the veterans in the locker room that have gone through it can help them out.”

Experience is not the only obstacle in the way of first place. The Browns will also have to overcome the loss of tight end Jordan Cameron, who has been ruled out for the second straight game with a concussion. We also cannot forget the fact that they have to slow down a Bengals offense that has weapons like A.J. Green and Jeremy Hill.

If the Browns can weather the early storm—and there definitely will be an early storm—then they should be in this game for the long haul. What they cannot afford, however, is getting buried in the first 15 minutes or so. That is the death sentence against the caliber of team they will be facing.

The last time the Bengals lost a home game was December 9, 2012. The Browns have to find a way to break through one of the better home-field advantages in the league.

Let’s take a look at the players who will try to break that streak and which team has the edge.

The Competitive Edge

Quarterback

27-year-old Andy Dalton has been to a Pro Bowl but is still one of the more scrutinized quarterbacks in the NFL. He is a completely different player when A.J. Green is on the field, and unfortunately for the Browns that will be the case Thursday night.

Because Green missed some time this season Dalton has struggled. He has the 19th-best quarterback rating in the league, one spot behind Brian Hoyer. Still, when Green is on the field Dalton can play with anyone, and the Bengals get the edge.

Edge: Cincinnati

Running Back

Even with Giovani Bernard doubtful for Thursday night’s game the Bengals still have the edge in this category. Second-round draft pick Jeremy Hill stepped in and dazzled last week. He rushed 24 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He is fast, shifty and can break a long run any time he touches the football. The Browns have not had a 100-yard rusher since Week 5 in Tennessee.

Edge: Cincinnati

Receivers

The combination of A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu is as deadly as you will find in the AFC North. They have combined for 986 yards and seven touchdowns despite Green not being healthy this season. When Green is on the field he completely changes the way you have to defend the Bengals offense, and that opens up room for everyone else. The Browns secondary will have its hands full this week.

Edge: Cincinnati

Tight End

It looks as though Jermaine Gresham will give it a go this week, so the Bengals will be rolling out their formidable duo of him and Tyler Eifert. Gresham already has 33 receptions and is a huge part of the Cincinnati offense. He has yet to find the end zone but is always a threat to do so. The Browns will be without Jordan Cameron once again, so Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge will have to pick up the slack. They need to do better than their three catches for 42 yards they had last week.

Edge: Cincinnati

Offensive Line

The Bengals have a top-10 rushing offense and have allowed the second-fewest sacks in the NFL. They are, however, a little beat up in this department. Tackle Andre Smith is doubtful for the game, and guard Kevin Zeitler is probable. The Browns, on the other hand, will be entering their third game with Nick McDonald at center, and they are just hoping for incremental improvements.

Edge: Cincinnati

Defensive Line

Neither defensive line in this game has played up to its expectations this season. Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap have had nice seasons, but the Bengals as a whole have allowed 139.6 yards per game on the ground. That is the exact same number the Browns have allowed.

The one ray of hope for the Browns is that Phil Taylor returned to practice this week. He is questionable for the game but would bring a huge lift if he can play for the first time since Week 5.

Edge: Push

Linebackers

Because Vontaze Burfict is out and Rey Maualuga is doubtful for Thursday the Browns get the nod in this category. If the Browns cannot run against this depleted defense then they might not be able to run effectively again this year.

Cincinnati has gotten quality play from Paul Kruger and Karlos Dansby this season, but everyone else has left something to be desired. Barkevious Mingo has been so bad that he wasn’t even on the field for key snaps at the end of last week’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Edge: Cleveland

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Defensive Backs

The Browns secondary is finally playing like everyone thought it would before the season. Joe Haden is back in Pro Bowl form, and despite a rough week against Tampa, Buster Skrine is actually having a productive season. Rookie Justin Gilbert made a few nice plays before leaving the game with what was thought to be a concussion. He passed those tests and is good to go for Thursday night.

Edge: Cleveland

Special Teams

The Browns are going to be facing one of the best special teams units in the league this week. They are top five in both punt and kick returns. This should be an interesting battle because the Browns' coverage units are now among the best in the league and are coming off a week where they created two turnovers. The Bengals still get the nod because they do not have to worry about turnovers each week.

Edge: Cincinnati

Browns Offense vs. Bengals Defense

Run the ball, then run the ball and then run the ball some more. That is how the Browns have to attack the Bengals early on in this game. Cleveland needs to establish some dominance at the line of scrimmage against a defense that is missing three of its top playmakers.

If the Browns can get the run game going then Brian Hoyer should be able to find some passing lanes down the field. They are allowing 255 passing yards per game, which is 21st in the league. While they give up a lot of yards, they don’t give up many big plays through the air.

The Bengals allow just 6.4 yards per attempt, which is fourth in the NFL. They have also forced 10 interceptions, so Hoyer will need to be weary of where he delivers the football.

With Cameron out once again you will see plenty more of the tight formations we saw last week. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan kept the tight ends in close to the line of scrimmage to try and help with the run. He will do more of the same, but the tight ends had opportunities last week in the pass game and need to capitalize.

If Andrew Hawkins cannot play on Thursday night the Browns will be much-depleted of weapons and will need all the receiving yards they can get.

Browns Defense vs. Bengals Offense

The Browns should be saying their prayers tonight because Jeremy Hill is a bad man. Cleveland has played better run defense the last two weeks, allowing just 92 yards per game, but it is hard to tell if it was actually the defense or poor opponents.

If the Browns don’t play well on Thursday Hill will replicate his huge game from last Sunday. He is very tough to bring down, and it will take gap integrity and winning one-on-one matchups to limit his success. Unfortunately the Browns are pretty terrible at doing both of those things.

This game will also feature one of the marquee matchups in all of football. Every time Joe Haden and A.J. Green do battle it is must-see TV. The Browns need Haden to limit what Green can do and force Andy Dalton to throw to other receivers.

When Dalton has to pass to everyone else the Bengals struggle to move the football. When he has Green at his disposal they are one of the best offenses in the NFL.

It is hard to envision the Browns getting much pressure on Dalton because they have only registered 17 sacks this season, and the Bengals have only allowed 10. If they can at least make Dalton uncomfortable, however, he is prone to making turnovers.

The Browns have one of the best give/take turnover ratios in the NFL at plus-six.

Special Teams

Last week the Browns were able to block a punt and a field goal. The coverage units really have not been the problem this season though. They really need to find an answer to their punt- and kick-returning woes. The Bengals, on the other hand, have Adam Jones, who can score a touchdown every time he fields a kick.

If the Browns have sound coverage and do not turn the ball over this category should be a wash.

What They’re Saying

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Bengals wide receiver Greg Little, who was cut by the Browns this offseason: "Everything about this game is personal for me. Someone has to pay.”

Browns general manager Ray Farmer on if both Hoyer and Johnny Manziel will be on the team next season: “Contractually, Brian, his contract expires after the season. Johnny’s doesn’t. We’ll see what happens between Brian between now and then.”

Browns’ Wednesday Injury Report

Out: Tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion) and safety Johnson Bademosi (concussion)

Questionable: Defensive lineman Billy Winn (quad), defensive lineman Phil Taylor (knee) and wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (thigh/knee)

Probable: Linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder), defensive lineman Desmond Bryant (wrist), quarterback Brian Hoyer (glute), wide receiver Rodney Smith (hamstring) and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (shoulder)

This Week’s Game Stats and Facts

For just the second time since the team returned in 1999, the Browns are 5-3.

The Browns have allowed just 68 second-half points this season (8.5 avg.), second fewest in the NFL.

The Browns are second in the NFL in red-zone defense. Teams have scored touchdowns on just 12 of 26 trips inside the red zone against Cleveland.

Tashaun Gipson is leading the NFL with six interceptions this season. In addition, his 11 interceptions since 2013 are the most in the league.

All quotes and observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Game stats and facts are courtesy of the Browns’ communications department.