Rush offense, A: The Browns came in giving up just 101.8 yards rushing a game. The Bengals nearly doubled that at 199 with a 4.7-yard average. The offensive line was nearly perfect, neutralizing an aggressive Cleveland front seven and avoiding costly holding penalties. Corey Dillon's 140 yards rushing makes the Bengals 8-0 when he tops 130 yards. The Bengals ran 80 plays to Cleveland's 50 and had the ball for 36.23.

        Pass offense, B: No sacks. No interceptions against the NFL leading defense with 11. There were still too many misfires in a stretch of the first half when four of five possessions ended with punts and the fifth ended on downs. Adjustments were made at halftime, and the pass game was especially efficient converting third downs.

        Rush defense, A: The Bengals gave up just 40 yards rushing on 19 carries. The Browns had just one first down on the ground, and the Bengals forced them into a one-dimensional pass offense. The defense also limited the Browns to only two third-down conversions on 11 tries.

        Pass defense, B: A late drive against a prevent defense padded Tim Couch's passing numbers. Cornerback Robert Bean was beaten on the Brown's only touchdown. Three sacks give the Bengals 13 in five games, half as many as they had all last year.

        Special teams, C: Nick Harris' 18-yard punt gave the Browns the ball on the Bengals' 30-yard line, although Harris rebounded with punts of 54 and 51 yards and a 31-yarder inside the 20. Neil Rackers missed what could have been a crucial 22-yard field goal at the end of the first half, but he made three other attempts. Kick coverage was good, limiting the Browns to an average drive start of the 26-yard line on six kickoff returns.

        Coaching, A: Dick LeBeau refocused his team and overcame the loss of linebacker Takeo Spikes, who missed the game because of a death in the family. The Bengals played with great emotion. The Bengals came out and took control of the game in the third quarter after trailing 7-3 at the half.

Bengals 24, Browns 14 Grading the Bengals DAUGHERTY: Defense heeds Spikes' message Dillon grinds out another big day Passing game catches on Rackers rallies in second half Browns safely prevented safety Injuries knock out Johnson, Heath Bengals-Browns statistics Bears bring 3-game win streak here Fan welcome respite from terror fears Gates deluged with umbrellas

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