Gameday Newsletter: Week 16, Bengals
Browns Film Breakdown returns providing all the insights you need as the Browns travel to Cincinnati for a shot to even the "Battle of Ohio" in 2024.
We’re back for Week 16 whether we want to be or not. And you’ll like it! All kidding aside we have to make it through these last three games to stop side-eyeing the offseason. The Browns travel down to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in the meaningless AFC North of the two this week — although the Bengals are claiming to live by a tiny thread. So, credit where it’s due.
The Browns will show up in this one with a need to play well but also keep on the path to the best draft pick possible. That’s a tricky spot to be in for the team and analysts covering this process — as you all well know. That means silver-lining hunting will be in full force and we will paint that picture for you.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson stars this one and we’ve come to learn Jameis Winston’s ailing shoulder will cause him to move into the 3rd quarterback role. Bailey Zappe moves into the backup role. These are the types of late season quarterback moves that were normal for the franchise a decade ago and we’re reliving them now.
Cedric Tillman will also miss today’s game due to the symptoms of his concussion a few weeks back lingering late into the week. That will mean some adjustments for the receiver room and a larger role for Mike Woods once again.
Inside the weekly Gameday Newsletter you will get all the pieces of information paired with your Gameday Podcast to enhance your Sundays with this team.
Per the Sunday usual, I request that you sit back, pour your coffee or liquor, turn on the best pre-game Browns song known to man, and enjoy this delivery of all the best pre-game information from the BFB staff.
Looking like a picture perfect Winter weather day in the Buckeye State for The Battle of Ohio. Temperatures will hover in the low 30’s for the duration of the game with minimal wind and zero chance for precipitation. 10/10 grade for this one considering late December.
The Browns and Bengals don’t go all the way back to the mid-1900’s like the history against the NFC East, but when the merger hit in 1970 and the Bengals joined the NFL the two have faced each other twice a year since. The Browns won the 1970’s, the Bengals the 1980’s, and the Browns the 1990’s. These have been close battles with plenty of back and forth.
The Bengals owned the Browns from 2004 to 2017 going 22-6. Then the Browns took over in 2018 and won 8 of 9 in the stretch.
With the Bengals win earlier this season they now lead the tight all-time series 54-48-0.
The Browns will wear their whiteout look in this one to close out their series with the uniform set for the season. The Bengals will rock their orange/black/orange for this one.
This is one of the better looks for the division matchup as the all white uniforms are something neither side have work for the battle and complement each other well.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson OVER 25 rushing yards each half (+1400)
We all know that the track record hasn’t been strong this year. We have matched the team’s energy on these bets. The final three games we will be taking some big swings to see if we can hit on something worthwhile. This feels like a game loaded with some quarterback run schemes for DTR and plenty of drop backs chasing the scoreboard where he will use his legs. You don’t lose rushing yardage in the NFL for sacks (and we know several of those will happen) so capitalizing on a moving quarterback inside and outside of scheme is worth a dart throw.
The 2007 Browns opened the season with few expectations, and they got lower after the 34-7 home opening loss to the Steelers. Then the offense exploded in Week 2 for 554 total yards and some hope they might have something special with Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, and a competent rushing attack. The team ended up with 10 wins on the year and just missed out on a playoff appearance.
Once again we go to the 2020 season of fun. After a 4-1 start to the season the Browns were blown out on the road at Pittsburgh 38-7 (sensing a theme?) and there was doubt about how good this Browns team was going to be. It was a back-and-forth affair with the Bengals taking a late 34-31 lead with just over one minute left to play. Baker Mayfield led the final drive down the field and threw his fifth touchdown pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones with 11 seconds left to secure the win and push the team to 5-2.
Catch us LIVE on the Browns Film Breakdown Show at 7:30PM EST where we will cover everything Post-Game on our YouTube Channel.
As always, Go Browns!
