Browns vs. Bengals: Keys to This AFC North Matchup

The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns will meet this weekend to write yet another chapter in their long, exciting rivalry.

While Cincinnati is holding onto hopes of a playoff berth, Cleveland is simply looking to pick up a big-time W and avenge a Week 1 loss to the Bengals.

Here's what to watch for in this Sunday's edition of the Battle for Ohio.

Has Dalton Done His Research?

Andy Dalton threw for just 81 yards in his NFL debut against Cleveland in Week 1, but he has since exploded onto the scene as one of the league's most talented offensive rookies.

Still, the Bengals' gunslinger will be in for a big-time challenge this weekend as he faces the Browns' No. 1-ranked pass defense. 

He'll be more familiar with Cleveland's defensive schemes this time around, but nothing is going to come easy. Dalton's individual performance could go a long way toward determining Sunday's outcome.

Who Will Win the Green vs. Haden Battle?

Dalton's favorite target is unquestionably fellow rookie A.J. Green, but the rookie duo could find themselves struggling to connect this week as lock-down cornerback Joe Haden will be blanketing Green all afternoon.

Green was able to score a 41-yard touchdown against Cleveland in Week 1, but the score came on his only catch of the entire game. He'll have to be more productive this week if the Bengals hope to challenge Cleveland's stout secondary.

Keep a close eye on Green and Haden as their one-on-one battle could get awfully exciting.

Can the Cincinnati Running Game Finally Get Going?

While Cleveland's pass-defense is one of the league's best, the Browns are considerably worse at stopping the run.

Luckily for Cleveland, it has been seven long weeks since Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson last rushed for 100 yards in a single game.

Benson will have to get things rolling this Sunday to provide the Bengals' offense with some much-needed balance and open things up in the passing game.

If he fails to do so, the Browns could make things much more interesting than Cincinnati would like.

Can the Cleveland Running Game Stay Hot?

While Benson and the Bengals have struggled to move the ball on the ground in recent weeks, Cleveland's rushing offense has been relatively successful as of late.

Chris Ogbonnaya racked up a career-high 115 rushing yards last week against Jacksonville, and Montario Hardesty is expected to return this week, adding yet another layer to the Cleveland ground attack.

While the Bengals have allowed just 88.6 rushing yards per game this season, they'll have to keep it up if they hope to keep the Browns under control.

Can Colt McCoy Build Upon Recent Success?

Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy has had an awfully lackluster 2011 season, but his recent performances against St. Louis and Jacksonville have been some of his best this year.

While he managed to throw just one touchdown over the past two weeks, McCoy completed more than 70 percent of his pass attempts in both contests and turned the ball over just once.

If he can build upon his recent success, McCoy may be able to keep things rolling against Cincinnati's banged-up secondary.

Can the Bengals' Secondary Get It Together?

Cincinnati lost their No. 1 cornerback, Leon Hall, for the remainder of the season in Week 10, and his presence was certainly missed last week against Baltimore.

Without Hall in the lineup, Joe Flacco and the Ravens' passing attack lit up the Bengals for 270 yards and two touchdowns, burning Cincinnati's second and third-string defensive backs all day long.

The Bengals will need to get better play out of their secondary this week, or they could find themselves in a world of trouble.

Can Cleveland Control the Bengals' D-Line?

If Cleveland hopes to pull out the upset on Sunday they will have to get considerably better play out of their offensive line.

The Browns will likely employ a pass-heavy attack against Cincinnati, but considering the fact that McCoy has been sacked at least twice in each of Cleveland's last seven games, that could be a problem.

Cincinnati's defensive line is a physical, talented unit, and they'll be in hot pursuit of McCoy all afternoon.