The Cleveland Browns haven't played at home since Oct. 1, when they lost a tough 12-0 decision to Baltimore.

        The road wasn't kind to the Browns. They lost 29-21 at Arizona, a game they should have won. They were blown out at Denver and shut out in Pittsburgh.

        They come home 2-6, and a loss Sunday to Cincinnati would drop them behind the Bengals in the AFC Central.

        The Browns, who started 2-1, have lost five in a row and are struggling offensively. The Bengals, who lost their first six, are emotionally up after upsetting Denver for their first victory.

        While the Bengals are getting national attention for their 407-yard rushing game, Cleveland coach Chris Palmer also is impressed by the Cincinnati defense.

        “We saw them against Pittsburgh, and they made Pittsburgh punt 12 times,” Palmer said Wednesday. “To hold Denver to 21 points and have three turnovers, that's excellent football.”

        Of course, there's the Cincinnati running game.

        “They're getting impressive yardage,” Palmer said. “They're running Peter Warrick and getting him the ball, like a power sweep.” Warrick ran three times for 90 yards Sunday, including a 77-yard touchdown.

        Cleveland's offense is in trouble. Starting quarterback Tim Couch and running back Errict Rhett are out for the season. Doug Pederson and Travis Prentice are the starters now.

        “We'll have a better feel for Doug later in the week,” Palmer said of Pederson, who was pulled from the Pittsburgh game after throwing three interceptions. “Doug really had, other than two plays he had in the Baltimore game, Doug hasn't had many plays with the regular offense.”

        Palmer expects more from Pederson this week. Pederson had one day to prepare after Couch broke his thumb.

        “We were all kind of in shock on Thursday evening,” Palmer said. “But injuries are part of the game. You have to close ranks and move on.”

        Prentice, the Miami University product, has run 70 times for 235 yards and four touchdowns.

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