CLEVELAND – For the first time this season, the “Cleveland Browns” put everything together and played as a complete team – special teams of offense, defense.
Scary, on Halloween.
“It was one of those days where we imposed our will,” quarterback Jacoby Brissett said.
Nick Chubb p threw for two touchdowns and Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s defense frustrated Joe Burrow as the Browns routed Cincinnati 32-13 on Monday night, keeping the Bengals’ star quarterback winless against them.
Garrett, who arrived at FirstEnergy Stadium in a Halloween costume, led a fearsome defense that sacked the Bears five times and held the Bengals (4-4) to 229 yards — 100 in the first half.
“Miles was really good,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanki smiles. “He does what (number 95) does.”
Burrow has already been to the Super Bowl in just three NFL seasons. However, the Ohio native has yet to defeat Cleveland, falling to 0-4 in four career starts against AFC North rival Cincinnati.
The Browns (3-5) snapped a four-game losing streak and saved their season from collapse in the process as they try to stay competitive while waiting for quarterback Deshaun Watson to return from an 11-game suspension.
Brissett ran for TD and drove in another, leading Cleveland to its fifth straight victory over Cincinnati. He completed 17 of 22 for 278 yards and a 133.7 rating in the loss to Burrow.
Chubb scored 3 points and 11 yardsand Brissett added a 3-yard TD run and connected with Amari Cooper on a 4-yard pass in the second half as the Browns took a 25-0 lead while playing their best all-around game of 2022.
“It was a 25-0 game before you even knew it,” Bengals coach Zach Taylor said. – We simply did not return. The worst thing you can do against the Cleveland Browns is give them a two- or three-point lead with their running game and their passing game.”
Led by Garrett, Cleveland’s defense, which has struggled most of the season, put relentless pressure on Barrow, who was without leading receiver Ja’Mar Chase due to a hip injury.
However, even a healthy Chase may not have been enough to help the Burrows. He finished 25 of 35 for 232 yards with two TDs and one interception.
“He’s one of the elite of the elite in the game,” Barrow said of Garrett, who finished with 1 1’2 sacks. “He’s always going to play like he did tonight.”
Barrow connected with Tyler Boyd on an assist in the fourth quarter and Tee Higgins, but it only helped him add to his statistics and slightly improved the scoreboard.
Garrett set the tone for the scary performance for the Browns by dressing up as Vekna, the ominous alien character from the Stranger Things TV series. It was a truly amazing night as the Browns finally looked like a competent team and pulled off a lopsided win after so many close losses.
It was Cleveland’s second blowout at Cincinnati in two years. The Browns beat the Bengals 41-6 in their first meeting last year.
“They’ve had our number for the last couple of years,” Burrow said. “They always play well against us, they have really good defensive players and they’re really well coached.”
THE BENGALS ARE BROKEN
Cincinnati didn’t allow a second-half touchdown on its first seven plays before the Browns scored three TDs after halftime.
COMMERCIAL CONVERSATION
With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Browns running back Kareem Hunt has been embroiled in rumors for weeks. Chatter about his future began when he demanded to be dealt with in August after the team did not offer him a contract extension.
Hunt ran for 42 yards on 11 carries.
HADEN IS HONORED
Former Browns cornerback Joe Haden served as honorary game captain. He signed a one-day contract to officially retire from Cleveland, who drafted him in the first round in 2010. Haden was a two-time pro player for seven seasons with the Browns before playing for rival Pittsburgh.
INJURIES:
Bengals: CB Chidobe Awuzie left with a right knee injury in the second quarter and did not return. … CB Tre Flowers (hamstring) left in the third.
Browns: RT Jack Conklin went to the locker room late in the first half with an undisclosed injury but returned after halftime.
FURTHER
Bengals: Host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Browns: Bye week before visiting Miami on Nov. 13, first of four road games in five weeks.
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