Since winning two of their first three games, the Cleveland Browns have lost five in a row. They're coming home for the first time since Oct.1 and are coming off an 0-3 road trip.

        They're playing without franchise quarterback Tim Couch, who's out for the season with a broken thumb. A loss to the Bengals on Sunday would put the Browns in the AFC Central basement.

Thumbs up

        • Pass defense. Cleveland has just four interceptions but is holding opponents to 202.3 yards a game passing, 12th-best in the NFL.

        • Pass protection. The Browns, who gave up and NFL-high 60 sacks last season, have turned around that aspect of their offense. They've allowed only 12 sacks this season and have 20, which makes them plus-8 on sack differential. The Bengals are minus-14 in giving up 26 sacks.

        • Dawg Pound. Cleveland Browns Stadium is one of the toughest places in the NFL for opposing teams, especially the Steelers and Bengals. Cleveland fans haven't forgotten Akili Smith's chest-thumping at the end of last season's Cincinnati victory. These dogs will be out in force.

Thumbs down
        • Quarterback. Doug Pederson made his first start in place of Couch and was 9-of-20 for 61 yards and three interceptions. Pederson had only one day of practice as the starter, and it showed. He should be better with a full week's worth of practice snaps, but how much?

        • Offense. The Browns had just 104 total yards in their 22-0 loss at Pittsburgh. They had just five first downs and didn't cross midfield until there were 12 minutes left in the game. Cleveland has the lowest-rated offense in the league at 257.8 yards a game

        • Third downs. Only three teams have converted fewer of their third-down plays on offense. The Browns are 30-of-102.

Jury's out
        • Run defense. The Browns held Corey Dillon to 41 yards rushing on 12 attempts in their 24-7 Week 2 victory at Cincinnati. But Dillon is in better shape now and he's fresh off his record 278-yard game. Coach Dick LeBeau is more committed to the run than Bruce Coslet was.

        The Steelers' Jerome Bettis gained 105 yards against the Browns, but he needed 33 carries (3.2 yards on average).

        But the Browns are 28th in the league against the run, giving up 142 yards a game.

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