Bengals First Offensive Possession (13:06-10:29

1. Fitzpatrick completes 11-yard pass to Chad Johnson. Standard I-formation. Browns bring six rushers, with defensive backs giving large cushions to receivers. Easily, Fitzpatrick hits Chad, who ran about seven yards and turned down the left sidelines. Chad picks up about 2-3 yards after the catch.
2. Fitzpatrick completes 11-yard pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. In double-TE set, Houshmandzadeh lined up wide on the right, ran a skinny slant, and picked up the first down. Again, the Browns blitzed two linebackers.
3. Fitzpatrick completes 6-yard pass to Houshmandzadeh. Lined up in no-TE set, with two receivers on the right, Fitzpatrick drops back and calmly scans the field. He finds and hits T.J. on the right, in between two defenders for the six-yard gain.
4. Chris Perry rushes for two yards. In single-back formation, strong side to the right with two WRs on the left, Perry takes the hand off and runs wide side to the right. Bobbie Williams pulled and led Perry while Antonio Chatman cracked blocked the linebacker. Ten defensive players were sealed inside, leaving #24-E.Wright alone to make the tackle. Which he did, after a two yard gain.
5. Chris Perry rushes for no gain. Bengals line up large on the third-and-two. Fitzpatrick pitches the ball left to Perry with Levi Jones and Andrew Whitworth leading Maui'a and Perry to the edge on the left. Shaun Rogers ABUSED Eric Ghiaciuc into the backfield, three yards deep. Levi Jones took on the outside linebacker who clogged up the edge, preventing Perry from stretching the run, forcing him to turn inside. This enabled Rogers, who abused Ghiaciuc, to tackle Perry from behind.
6. Bengals punt.

Bengals Second Offensive Possession (8:27-4:51)

1. Fitzpatrick completes 7-yard pass to Reggie Kelly. Kelly lined up at the right Tight End spot, runs a yard up, and then turns out. Fitzpatrick hits him at the break.
2. Chris Perry rushes for no gain. Bengals line up single-back formation, strong side to the right, Twins to the left.Levi Jones took the end out, Eric Ghiaciuc and Andrew Whitworth doubled the defensive tackle. Stacy Andrews had problems with his defensive end burying down the line of scrimmage, eventually getting to Perry. #21-B.Pool showed blitz, turned the corner and was also in on the tackle.
3. Fitzpatrick throws incomplete to Chatman. With two Browns blitzers coming down Fitzpatrick's line of sight, while he was looking right, the quarterback threw a horrible pass to Chatman -- who wouldn't have gained anything anyway with a defender ready to pounce.
4. Fitzpatrick completes pass to Chris Perry, loses five yards. Another patent horrible screen play. Perry takes the pass, with Eric Ghiaciuc had #52-Jackson in sight, and even got a hand on him. Still, Ghiaciuc being too slow, and Jackson reading the screen early, and you have a five-yard loss.
5. Fitzpatrick scrambles for 12 yards. This is an example of when Fitzpatrick is forced to shift in the pocket, he's more than likely to lower his head and run, eliminating the possibilities of broken coverage down field. Once Fitzpatrick learns to scramble out of the pocket, and takes one last look downfield, he could have several quality virtues that team's would like. Instead, he runs for 12 yards and the...
6. Bengals punt.

Bengals Third Offensive Possession (13:05-12:58)

1. Chris Perry fumbles the football. Bengals line up I-formation, no TE with twins on the left and single-WR on the right. Perry gets the hand off, runs up the gut, then gets hit in the gut and loses the football.

Bengals Fourth Offensive Possession (11:06-7:46)

1. Fitzpatrick throws incomplete pass to Chris Perry. Fitzpatrick fakes the handoff, looks around and then dumps the pass off to Perry. The ball was a bit high, tipped by Perry and nearly picked off by the Browns.
2. Fitzpatrick completes 10-yard pass to Chatman. Another weak play-fake, Fitzpatrick unleashes a low pass to Chatman on the left, who's forced to dive forward for the reception.
3. Fitzpatrick throws incomplete pass to Chatman. Chatman, on the right, runs up to the first down marker and hooks out. Fitzpatrick threw the pass too low, that skipped past Chatman.
4. Fitzpatrick completes 22-yard pass to Chatman. Chatman runs to the first down marker and turns. After catching the pass, Chatman spins off a tackle and gains another 10-12 yards.
5. Fitzpatrick throws incomplete to Chatman. Fitzpatrick throws a rainbow pass down the left sidelines for Chatman, who had a defensive back on his inside and someone over the top. The pass was in Chatman's hands, but with the fall and being pressed by the back, Chatman couldn't bring the pass in.
6. Fitzpatrick completes eight-yard pass to Reggie Kelly. Kelly lined up at the left tight end spot, runs up seven yards and turns to catch the pass.
7. Fitzpatrick completes 15-yard pass to Houshmandzadeh. Houshmandzadeh lines up wide to the left. Ben Utecht lined up to Houshmandzadeh's right, ran a seam route and picked the guy defending Houshmandzadeh, freeing him up to run a short crossing pattern.
8. Fitzpatrick completes four-yard touchdown pass to Chad Johnson. Fitzpatrick rolled out to the right (by design) and found Chad Johnson at the back of the endzone, running towards the back right pylon. Johnson started on the right, faked running in and then straightened out right.
9. Two point conversion. Fitzpatrick throws incomplete. Fitzpatrick is forced to roll out to the right and throw a bad pass over the middle to Chris Perry (I think). God good, Eric Ghiaciuc is on his backside, for the third time in the game (by my count). Ghiaciuc falling to his backside, forced Fitzpatrick to roll out right.

Bengals Fifth Offensive Possession (3:01-2:10)

1. Fitzpatrick scrambles to the right for a five-yard gain. Fitzpatrick, with no real reason to run, scrambles out to the right. What happened is that the edge rushers were pushed to the outside, around the pocket, giving Fitzpatrick happy feet.
2. Fitzpatrick completes a one-yard pass to Chris Perry. Perry flanked Fitzpatrick in shotgun, ran through the guard and then out.
3. Fitzpatrick is sacked and fumbles the ball. This is all Stacy Andrews. The edge rusher outran Andrews, hitting Fitzpatrick and forcing the fumble. If you watch Hall, he was either guessing the snap count, or off-sides. Either way, Hall had a step on Andrews and Andrews never recovered.

Bengals Sixth Offensive Possession (:32-:14)

1. Fitzpatrick completes a nine-yard pass to Ben Utecht. Fitzpatrick hits Utecht, who lined up in the slot. Fitzpatrick is forced up into the pocket because of pressure. He throws the pass before reaching the line of scrimmage, to Utecht on the right.
2. Fitzpatrick throws an incomplete pass to Chatman. Fitzpatrick threw the pass away; about twenty feet through the sidelines.
3. Fitzpatrick throws an interception to #25-T.Cousin. Fitzpatrick, looks to the right, and then moves up in the pocket, shakes a tackle, and throws the pass while being hit forcing the interception to Cousin.

Bengals First Offensive Drive (15:00-13:46).

1. Perry, three-yard rush. Bengals line up double-TE set, overloaded on the right (Levi Jones lined up next to Stacy Andrews and Ben Utecht lined up next to Andrew Whitworth). The offensive line blocks down, Andrew Whitworth pulls from left to right, and Reggie Kelly blocks the end straight up. Bobbie Williams pushed Shaun Rogers outside, and Stacy Andrews tried to push his man in. Corey Williams spun off Andrews' block and tackled Chris Perry after a three-yard gain.
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick trips after Eric Ghiaciuc stepped on the quarterback's foot after being pushed backwards by Rogers.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick throws an incomplete pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, running 10-15 yard out route. The pass was beyond Houshmandzadeh's reach.
4. Bengals punt.

Bengals Second Offensive Drive (9:29-8:03)

1. Perry, two-yard gain. Bengals line up single-back formation with two receivers on the right, tight end and single-WR on the left. The flow goes to the right, where Shaun Rogers got a step on Andrew Whitworth forcing Perry to redirect three-yards deep in the backfield. Perry is forced to cut back to the left, but #22-McDonald contained the edge, then ankle-tackling Perry. By this time, #95-Wimbley shed off Kelly's block; so even if Perry shakes off McDonald, the gain is limited.
2. Perry, three yard gain. Bengals line up standard I-formation, strong side to the left (where the Tight End lines up). Houshmandzadeh, before the snap, motions from left to right, stopping behind Stacy Andrews and Bobbie Williams. With Reagan Maui'a as the led fullback, Perry gets the handoff and runs right. Bobbie had Shaun Rogers, essentially, had Rogers blocked out of the play. Rogers spun off Williams' block and made the stop.
3. Fitzpatrick throws an incomplete. Fitzpatrick lines up in shotgun, with three wide receivers on the left. The Browns brought six rushers, two blitzers on the right. Perry (I think) picks up one blitzer, but the second was unblocked and unaccounted for, because there just weren't enough blockers on that side of the line. So Fitzpatrick is forced to throw a pass to Chad Johnson earlier than he would have liked.
4. Bengals punt.

Bengals Third Offensive Drive (2:30-10:26)

1. After Corey Williams lined up offsides, the Bengals offense had a first-and-five at the Cincinnati 12-yard line. Perry, three-yard gain. Bengals line up standard I-formation, strong side to the right. Levi Jones and Andrew Whitworth blocked down, sealing the end; then Jones released and took on the linebacker. In all reality, the blocking was really good here... except. The Browns outside linebacker, #95-Wimbley was allowed to penetrate the backfield, two yards deep because that was likely Reagan Maui'a's man. Maui'a didn't drive through the defender; instead he stopped and put hands on him. Doing what good defenders do, Wimbley shed off Maui'a's block and stopped Perry for a three-yard gain.
2. Perry, four-yard loss. Bengals line up standard I formation, strong side to the right. This one is easy. #22-B.McDonald coming on a corner blitz, was unblocked and stopped Perry four yards short of the line of scrimmage. Maui'a disregarded McDonald, trying to get around Levi Jones to get to the safety. If Maui'a sees McDonald, and pushes him out to open a lane off the left tackle, then Perry likely has a limited gain anyway. But at least it's not a four-yard loss.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick scrambles for 11-yard gain and a first down. Fitzpatrick with empty backfield, drops back and nearly stumbles again. Fitzpatrick really didn't look downfield, choosing to run into the wide-open field.
4. Fitzpatrick completes 13-yard pass to Chad Johnson. Bengals line up off-set I, strong side to the left. Good protection, to start, enables Fitzpatrick to hit the final step in his drop, and fire off an accurate pass to Chad Johnson running about a 15-yard hook route. Bengals pick up the first down. Note: Maui'a blocked the blitzer coming on the right, who made quick contact than performed a swim move. Maui'a as a pass blocker, tends to stand up and lean forward, allowing defenders to control Maui'a because our full back isn't balancing himself.
5. First play of the second quarter. After an off-sides on the Browns (that negates a fumbled snap), Fitzpatrick completes a 6-yard pass to Houshmandzadeh, who lined up on the left, ran a yard short of the first down marker and turned out. He caught the pass and then the first down.
6. Chris Perry, three-yard gain. Bengals line up Standard I formation, strong side to the right. The line initially blocked this well; Reggie Kelly had position on the end, Stacy Andrews DRILLED Corey Williams, putting him on a rope. Eric Ghiaciuc and Bobbie Williams neutralized Shaun Rogers. Maui'a and a pulling Levi Jones took out two linebackers, while Andrew Whitworth contained the right defensive end easily. Here's where the play broke down. After Ghiaciuc and Williams took out Rogers, Ghiaciuc was designed to go after the linebacker (#52-D.Jackson). Ghiaciuc couldn't break into the second level, and #52-D.Jackson limited Perry's gain to only three yards. Good blocking, but we just couldn't get to the second level.
7. Fitzpatrick throws incomplete pass. Bengals line up standard I-formation. Fitzpatrick drops back, throws a 20-mile high pass to Chad Johnson. The pass protection was there, but the pass was way off.
8. Fitzpatrick scrambles up the middle for 13 yards. This is Fitzpatrick's second first down run, and the team's third first down on this drive.
9. Perry, 12-yard gain. This is the Bengals best designed run of the day. Bengals line up I-formation with three wide receivers and no tight ends. Reggie Kelly this time, lines up at full back. The offensive line fires off, appearing like they're zone blocking. All five guys get a hat on someone, keep their hats on someone, until Perry is past the line of scrimmage. Eric Ghiaciuc, with no one on the line over him, heads to the second level, puts a hat on a linebacker, who nearly made the tackle by not allowing Ghiaciuc to either drive him, or turn him away from the running lane. Two linebackers run blitzed certain gaps, taking themselves out of the play.
10. Perry, one-yard gain. Bengals line up off-set I, overloaded on the right (Levi Jones lined up on the right, next to Andrews). Bobbie Williams and Stacy Andrews DESTROYED the end, blowing him back a good five yards just on the initial hit. At one point, there was a big, big lane. four Bengals blockers had four Browns defenders walled off like a punt return. On the other side, Eric Ghiaciuc and Reggie Kelly had the left side walled off. Quickly, it broke down after Shaun Rogers shed off Ghiaciuc's block and just filling the hole.
11. After Levi Jones false starts, Bengals line up second-and-14 at the Cleveland 30-yard line. Fitzpatrick completes a five-yard pass to Perry, who flanked Fitzpatrick in shotgun, running directly into the wide-side flats.
12. Fitzpatrick throws an incomplete pass to Antonio Chatman. The Bengals kept seven blockers in. The problem? The Browns brought eight defenders on a pass rushing blitz. So Fitzpatrick had to get rid of the ball quickly; though this is the type of defensive scheme that most offenses have an opportunity for a quick deep score. However, Fitzpatrick threw a pass to the deep right pylon. The problem? Chatman stopped around the first down marker, 20 yards away from the pass.
13. Bengals kick a field goal, tie the game at 3.

Bengals Fourth Offensive Possession (9:22-8:34)

1. Fitzpatrick completes a nine-yard pass to Chris Perry. Plenty of time, good protection. Good play; Perry ran over the middle and turned.
2. After another off-sides on the Browns, the Bengals line up first-and-ten at the Cleveland 35-yard line. Fitzpatrick throws an interception to #20-M.Adams. Originally, the Bengals lined up I-formation, strong side to the left. Then they did some shift-thing (which they don't normally do), leaving an empty backfield, and three receivers on the left with Reggie Kelly lined up at the second flanker from the outside and Perry lined up in the slot. Kelly ran a simple seam route, was open five yards into his route. However, Fitzpatrick floated the pass (and he somewhat needed to in order to clear the underneath linebacker). If Fitzpatrick throws the pass about two yards shorter, Kelly picks up 25 yards. Instead, he floated the ball too much for #20-M.Adams.

Bengals Fifth Offensive Possession (3:31-:13)

1. Fitzpatrick throws incomplete to Perry. Perry, lined up as the feature back in I-formation, runs to the short-side flats. The play was a play-action, with Perry faking misdirection. The fake was awful on Fitzpatrick's part. Perry juggles the pass and it falls incomplete.
2. Fitzpatrick completes 5-yard pass to Chris Perry. Fitzpatrick fakes a wide receiver screen to the left (Chad Johnson) and hits Perry on a running back screen to the right. The problem here is that the blockers never got out. Eric Ghiaciuc is a good five yards to Perry's left, Whitworth, Andrews and Williams were still behind Perry. Ghiaciuc tries to make a block on the linebacker, but the linebacker dove under our gallant center for the tackle.
3. Fitzpatrick throws an interception for Chad Johnson, and then Chris Perry causes a fumble that the Bengals recover. The Bengals kept Perry and Utecht in to block. Utecht was blocking the defensive end ALL BY HIMSELF, which forced Fitzpatrick to move up and to the right, outside of the pocket. With a defender closing down on Fitzpatrick, the quarterback unleashes an unadvised pass to Chad Johnson. #24-E.Wright, a step behind Chad Johnson, was in perfect position for the under thrown pass. Thankfully, Perry buried his helmet on the football causing the fumble; recovered by Chad.
4. Fitzpatrick completes a six-yard pass to Reggie Kelly. Fitzpatrick fakes the handoff to the left, then rolls right and hits Reggie Kelly, flaring out.
5. Fitzpatrick completes a one-yard pass to Ben Utecht. Fitzpatrick drops back three steps, and hits Utecht running up and out.
6. Fitzpatrick completes a six-yard pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. In shotgun, Fitzpatrick throws to Houshmandzadeh in the slot, uncovered, running a lazy slant route over the middle.
7. Fitzpatrick sacked for a two-yard loss. Coverage sack, easily. Fitzpatrick drops back, looks to the right. A defender crossed Fitzpatrick's face, who then runs up the middle and dropped by #95-K.Wimbley.
8. Fitpatrick throws an incomplete pass to Chad Johnson. Fitzpatrick, in shotgun, looks left, then over the middle, then back to the left. Johnson was running a deep fade route, who found a hole between the underneath cornerback and safety help over the middle. It could have been complete, with a perfect pass. Which it wasn't.
9. Fitzpatrick completes a six-yard pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Houshmandzadeh lined up inside on the right, ran a slant/in-route, catches the pass and not much else.
10. Shayne Graham converts a 45-yard field goal for the 6-3 lead.

Bengals 6, Browns 3

Fitzpatrick: 9/17, 57 yards passing, 24 yards rushing, 2 Ints
Perry: eight rushes, 24 yards
Chad: 1 reception, 13 yards
T.J.: 3 receptions, 18 yards

Anderson: 4/10, 27 yards passing
Lewis: 12 rushes, 55 yards rushing

Defense

Ndukwe: five tackles, sack

Game: Cleveland Browns (0-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Series Leader: Bengals, 35-34
Streak: Bengals won seven of the past 10.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 7-3. Crennel: 1-5
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon. SIRIUS: 125 (Cle.), 107 (Cin.). Direct TV: 704
SB Nation: Dawgs by Nature
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: High of 81, partly cloudy and no chance of rain. [Weather.com]
Uniform: Black
Site: We plan on being here

Injury Status

Bengals

OUT: S Dexter Jackson (thumb)
DOUBTFUL: S Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: CB David Jones (knee), QB Carson Palmer (right elbow), TE Ben Utecht (chest), RB Kenny Watson (hamstring)
PROBABLE: CB Jamar Fletcher (illness), T Levi Jones (knee), S Nedu Ndukwe (groin), DT John Thornton (knee)

Browns

OUT: S Sean Jones (knee), TE Martin Rucker (knee)
DOUBTFUL: LB Willie McGinest (hamstring), WR Donte' Stallworth (quadricep)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Kris Griffin (calf), G Eric Steinbach (shoulder), G Ryan Tucker (hip), LB Kamerion Wimbley (groin)
PROBABLE: WR Braylon Edwards (shoulder), DT Shaun Rogers (shoulder), T Kevin Shaffer (hand), DT Shaun Smith (hand)

Practices

Primer

STATUS

Bengals

OUT: S Dexter Jackson (thumb)
DOUBTFUL: S Herana-Daze Jones (hamstring), CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: CB David Jones (knee), QB Carson Palmer (right elbow), TE Ben Utecht (chest), RB Kenny Watson (hamstring)
PROBABLE: CB Jamar Fletcher (illness), T Levi Jones (knee), S Nedu Ndukwe (groin), DT John Thornton (knee)

Browns

OUT: S Sean Jones (knee), TE Martin Rucker (knee)
DOUBTFUL: LB Willie McGinest (hamstring), WR Donte' Stallworth (quadricep)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Kris Griffin (calf), G Eric Steinbach (shoulder), G Ryan Tucker (hip), LB Kamerion Wimbley (groin)
PROBABLE: WR Braylon Edwards (shoulder), DT Shaun Rogers (shoulder), T Kevin Shaffer (hand), DT Shaun Smith (hand)

Practice

NOTES

• Dexter Jackson is out.
• Johnathan Joseph and Herana-Daze Jones are still not practicing; with David Jones, Chinedum Ndukwe and David Jones limiting their participation, the Bengals secondary seems like it's getting more and more injured.
• Jamar Fletcher came into practice with an "illness" on the first day of practice this week.

DNP - Did Not Practice
LP - Limited Participation in Practice
FP - Full Participation in Practice

Game: Cleveland Browns (0-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Series Leader: Bengals, 35-34
Streak: Bengals won seven of the past 10.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 7-3. Crennel: 1-5
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon. SIRIUS: 125 (Cle.), 107 (Cin.). Direct TV: 704
SB Nation: Dawgs by Nature
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: High of 81, partly cloudy and no chance of rain. [Weather.com]
Uniform: Black
Site: We plan on being here.

BENGALS

• Bengals look for their fifth consecutive win at home against the Browns.
• In four career starts against the Browns at home, Carson Palmer is 4-0 completing 70 of 117 passes (59.8%) for 811 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions (75.1 passer rating).
• Last season (9.19.07), Palmer threw for a career-high six touchdowns.
• Chris Perry looks to score a touchdown in his third consecutive game.
• Kenny Watson rushed for 130 yards in his last meeting against the Browns on 30 attempts scoring a touchdown.
• T.J. Houshmandzadeh has scored at least one touchdown in five straight games against the Browns.
• In his past two games against the Browns, Chad Johnson is averaging 125.3 yards receiving.
• The Bengals are 22-5 when the defense records two or more interceptions since 2003.
• Robert Geathers has 3.5 career sacks against the Browns (most against any NFL team).
• In his last meeting against the Browns, Chinedum Ndukwe recorded a career-high two interceptions.

BROWNS

• The Browns are 5-0 under Romeo Crennel when scoring 30 points or more.
• In his career, Derek Anderson has seven touchdowns and five interceptions against the Bengals.
• When Anderson records 100+ passer rating, the Browns are 4-0.
• Jamal Lewis, for his career, is averaging 119.3 yards rushing per game against the Bengals (154 yards per game in the past two meetings).
• When Lewis rushes 25 times or more, his teams are 22-3.
• Braylon Edwards looks to record his third consecutive game with eight receptions and two touchdowns -- averaging 99 yards receiving per game in the last two meetings.
• In his past two games against Cincinnati, Kellen Winslow has 13 receptions for 173 yards receiving.
• When Winslow records 100 yards or more receiving, the Browns are 3-0.
• Andra Davis has three career interceptions against the Bengals -- most against any NFL team.
• Joshua Cribbs looks to record 100 kickoff return yards against the Bengals for the fifth consecutive meeting.

Bengals win 34-17 in week #2 of 2006

It was second-and-12 as the Browns lined up in I-formation for their second play from scrimmage. David Pollack lined up four-five yards deep, between the right offensive guard and tackle. At the snap, the full back led to the left and Reuben Droughns followed. At the moment of impact, Pollack lowered his head and his neck pushed back into his body; he dropped like an anchor in the Ocean.

Bengals lose 51-45 in early 2007 shootout to the Browns.

The Browns touchdown drives went plays of: 7, 3, 5, 8, 1 and 5.

In the history of the Bengals/Browns rivalry, the Bengals have outscored the Browns by 37 points (1,473 for, 1,436 again).

Team Rankings

Carson Palmer

Chad Johnson

T.J. Houshmandzadeh