Submitted by admin on Sun, 2006-11-26 08:00. ::
The forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. The Bengals scored 72 points in their last two games while Chad Johnson set an NFL record with 450 receiving yards. The Bengals defense ranks last in the league and its secondary has been stung by injuries.
“We definitely have a chance to make some plays on them,” receiver Braylon Edwards said. “We know what they do, know where the holes are in their defense.
The Browns took early leads the last two weeks only to watch the opponent rally in the second half. The Browns hung on vs. the Falcons, but crumbled vs. the Steelers.
Frustrated by the loss, Edwards ruffled some feathers this week by calling the red zone play calling too conservative. He said the coaches were happy with field goals while the players wanted touchdowns.
While his approach was out of line, his point was right on. The Browns have scored four touchdowns in 13 trips inside the red zone since Jeff Davidson took over as play caller.
While Browns fans may appreciate a game filled with first downs and touchdowns — especially if the Cleveland offense gets involved — Crennel and the defense aren't willing to accept Cincinnati points as a given. In Crennel's two years the Browns haven't been involved in a shootout and he's not ready to start now.
“I don't run track, I'm too big. I'm not interested in getting into a track meet,” he said. “Being realistic, on paper, they probably win a shootout.
Running back Rudi Johnson owns the Browns and quarterback Carson Palmer appears healed from offseason knee surgery. He's thrown for 18 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions, and his 97.7 rating ranks fourth in the NFL.
He has a trio of dynamic targets. Chad Johnson (932) is on pace to lead the AFC in receiving yards for the fourth straight year, T.J. Houshmandzadeh has 48 catches and five touchdowns and Chris Henry had a career-high 113 yards in the Bengals' 34-17 win over the Browns in Week 2.
That was the most points allowed by the Browns this year. The Bengals used a no-huddle approach to keep the Browns off-balance, and went with three- and four-receiver sets to stretch the defense.
Run-stopping nose tackle Ted Washington spent much of the day on the sideline with the Browns in the nickel, and Palmer took turns handing off to Rudi Johnson and choosing from his receivers. The Browns didn't see another large dose of the no-huddle until the Steelers used it to score 21 points in the fourth quarter for a come-from-behind win.
The Bengals have used the no-huddle attack less lately, and Crennel said the Cleveland crowd would make it difficult for them to use it extensively.
But they will almost certainly rely on multiple-receiver sets to spread out the Browns and take advantage of their third and fourth cornerbacks. Season-ending injuries to Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon and a high ankle sprain to Leigh Bodden (he's questionable) have left the secondary vulnerable.
Ralph Brown is one of the replacements. He struggled early, including in the first Bengals game, but had played better until the secondary was exposed by Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter.
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