The Bengals-Browns rivalry is special for many reasons. They are the only two teams in Ohio, and next to a Steelers game, a Bengals game means the most to Browns fans.

        Before the Bengals started play in 1968, the Browns were Cincinnati's team, and several Bengals coaches and players grew up rooting for the Browns.

        Coach Dick LeBeau, who's 63 years old, grew up near Columbus, in London, Ohio, and used to listen to Browns games on the radio.

        “Sunday afternoon used to be quite a deal, and I'm talking about when I was pretty small,” LeBeau said. “We would get in the automobile and ride around and listen to the Browns play every Sunday.”

        The family, apparently, didn't have a radio in the house.

        “You had to make sure to keep it pointed north in the old crystal sets,” LeBeau said. “The one thing we had a lot of was love and plenty to eat, but some things we did without.”

        Left tackle John Jackson, a Woodward High School graduate, grew up a Browns fan, too. His loyalties were questioned the first time he played in old Cleveland Stadium as a rookie in 1988.

        “I used to be literally scared to hell warming up,” he said. “I'll never forget my first year in Pittsburgh. They were on us. "What are you smiling about? You're about to get your (backside) whipped.' I'm like, "Wow.' They warmed us up right in front of the Dawg Pound. I'm thinking, "My God, I used to love this team.'”

        The atmosphere of the new Cleveland Browns Stadium is much different.

        “They've toned it down a whole lot,” said Jackson, who will make his second Bengals start Sunday in Cleveland. “Between the dog biscuits, the bones, the batteries, everything else, just to me it was a great place to play, and I missed it when they didn't have it. Now they've got police and cameras all over the place. So it kind of takes away from their edge.”

        RUN, BABY, RUN: The Bengals' 407-yard rushing game Sunday also netted this distinction.

        It was the first time since Oct. 5, 1986 that three touchdowns were scored from 40 or more yard runs on the ground.

        The Bengals had TD runs of 77 yards from Peter Warrick and 65 and 41 yards from Corey Dillon.

        In 1986, Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams had touchdown runs of 40 and 42 yards, and Tampa Bay's Nathan Wonsley scored from 59 yards.

        BRAHAM'S BACK: Center Rich Braham practiced for the first time since before the Jacksonville game in Week 3. He said the swelling is down in his knee and that he hopes to play Nov. 5 against Baltimore.

        Braham is doubtful.

        OTHER INJURIES: For the Bengals, linebacker Brian Simmons (knee) is out. Strong safety JoJuan Armour (toe) is questionable. Defensive end Vaughn Booker (knee), Peter Warrick (bruised shoulder), safety Darryl Williams (chest), Jackson (hamstring) and fullback Clif Groce (knee) are probable.

Dillon racks up yards, accolades Next opponent: Browns Bengals notebook

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