Sunday, October 29, 2000
Who's got the edge?
Reporter Mark Curnutte gives his analysis of how the Bengals and Browns match up by position.
Quarterback: Bengals
Akili Smith is starving for a big game. He returns today to the site of his best NFL start. Three of his four career touchdown passes have come against the Browns.
Doug Pederson had only one day of practice before starting last week in Pittsburgh in place of the injured Tim Couch. The Steelers intercepted him three times.
Running backs: Bengals
The eyes of the football world will be on Corey Dillon today to see if he can follow his record 278-yard game with another big effort. Don't underestimate the importance of blocking fullback Clif Groce.
Travis Prentice has been forced into the starting lineup because of the injury to Erict Rhett. Prentice has been a pleasant surprise for a third-round pick and has four rushing touchdowns.
Wide receivers/tight ends: Browns
Peter Warrick is as much of a running as receiving threat these days. The other rookie, Ron Dugans, has lost his starting job to Craig Yeast. The best move Dick LeBeau has made is using two tight ends, Tony McGee and Marco Battaglia.
Starters Kevin Johnson, David Patten and Aaron Shea have 58 receptions among them but only one touchdown catch. Patten burned the Bengals deep in the opener.
Offensive line: Bengals
Dillon didn't gain those yards by himself. Willie Anderson has regained his top form, and the insertion of John Jackson at left tackle protected Smith's blind side last week.
The Browns are one of the league's worst teams on third down, converting only 30-of-102 plays for first downs. But they're playing without their franchise quarterback and veteran running back.
Special teams: Bengals
The Bengals had their first field-position advantage last week, thanks to Daniel Pope's punting and excellent punt coverage, and it contributed to the victory.
Kicker Phil Dawson is 5-of-5 on field goals inside the 40, but he's missed three of four from beyond the 40. Cleveland, like the Bengals, needs those points.
Defensive line: Browns
Vaughn Booker, Tom Barndt and Glen Steele are fighting injuries. The line has six of the team's 12 sacks.
Defensive ends Courtney Brown and Keith McKenzie get a lot of pressure on the quarterback. The line has 14 of the Browns' 20 sacks.
Linebackers: Bengals
Outside linebacker Steve Foley has fulfilled his promise with two sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and a fumble recovery. This is Bengals' best unit.
Anchored by Wali Rainer and Jamir Miller, this group is strong. It's just not as good as the Bengals'.
Defensive backs: Browns
Denver's Brian Griese lit the Bengals up for 365 yards passing. Of course, he got the Browns for 353. Strong safety Chris Carter has come in the injured Cory Hall an grabbed an interception and recovered a fumble.
The secondary has all four of Cleveland's interceptions and is 12th in the league in pass defense, 202.3 yards a game.
Coaching: Bengals
Dick LeBeau denies he has anything to do with the team's improved play, but his fingerprints are all over it, from sticking to the running game to making the right lineup switches.
If Chris Palmer didn't have bad luck he'd have no luck at all. Without franchise quarterback Couch, Palmer continues to get the most out of a second-year expansion team.
The winner: Bengals
No Couch. A hugely struggling Cleveland offense. Dillon on a role. Warrick finding his place. A Bengals defense that's beginning to force turnovers.
Prediction: Bengals 17, Browns 13
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Who's got the edge?
