CLEVELAND, Ohio — Joe Burrow has done just about everything in his NFL career — except win in Cleveland.
Cincinnati's QB is 0-3 on the road against the Browns, a skid he's hoping to end on Sunday. While Burrow has played well through six games, the Bengals have gotten off to another slow start. Cleveland's has been worse.
The Browns are 1-5 and quarterback Deshaun Watson has played so poorly there have been calls for coach Kevin Stefanski to bench him. The Browns made a major move this week, trading top wide receiver Amari Cooper to Buffalo. Cleveland will get a lift as running back Nick Chubb will play for the first since suffering a major knee in Week 2 last year.
Bengals player to watch
Burrow has the ability to make something out of nothing, a skill that's been on display a lot lately because of the subpar play of his offensive line. Last week against the Giants, he scrambled and then took off for a 47-yard TD. He's completing 71.6% of his passes and has thrown for 12 touchdowns. His 75.1 quarterback rating is second best in the NFL.
Browns player to watch
QB Deshaun Watson will likely be greeted with boos as the Browns return home from three weeks — and three losses — on the road. Watson hasn't played close to expectations and he's under more scrutiny than ever as Cleveland's offense is abysmal. The Browns have yet to score 20 points or total 300 yards in a game. Watson's erratic play has led to calls for coach Kevn Stefanski to bench him. The Browns are riding this out as long as possible.
Key matchup
Bengals LT Orlando Brown and rookie RT Amarius Mims vs. Browns DE Myles Garrett. Cleveland's chances could hinge on whether Garrett can pressure and get to Burrow, who has been sacked 15 times. Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz gives Garrett the freedom to move to either side and a matchup against a rookie may be too enticing to pass up. Expect Garrett to do everything he can to make life hard for Burrow, who is 0-3 in Cleveland.
Key injuries
Burrow was checked for a concussion during the Giants game, but he was cleared and returned to the game. CB D.J. Turner (ankle) was limited this week.
Cleveland's offensive line took another hit with backup C Nick Harris breaking his leg last week. He was filling in for starter Ethan Pocic (knee), who could return against the Bengals. RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) and S Ronnie Hickman (ankle) are expected to sit out.
Series notes
The Battle of Ohio has been titled northward in recent years as the Browns are 9-3 in the past 12 meetings. Cleveland has won six straight at home and is 30-20 all-time at home against Cincinnati.
The Browns haven't lost the season series to the Bengals since 2017. Before Cleveland's recent dominant run, Cincinnati won seven straight and 12 of 15.
Stats and stuff
While the Bengals have struggled to start the season, Burrow has been on his game. He leads the NFL with a 110.3 passer rating. He's also completing a career-best 71.6% of his passes and has thrown 12 TD passes and just two picks.
Burrow had one of his worst days passing in the win over the Giants. His 208 passing yards were his second-worst this season, he was sacked a season-high four times and threw zero touchdown passes. The Bengals' top two receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, combined for 12 catches for 149 yards.
The Bengals' defense had its best game of the season last week, holding the Giants to 190 yards passing. Cincinnati edge rusher Trey Hendrickson had two sacks of the Giants' Daniel Jones.
Cincinnati has played more games against Cleveland (101) than any foe except Pittsburgh (109). Two of Cincinnati's losses have come on the final play of the game. The two highest-scoring games in Bengals history have been against the Browns: a 58-48 win on Nov. 28, 2004, and a 51-45 Browns win on Sept. 16, 2007.
Burrow has a 63.6% completion rate in six games against Cleveland. He has 10 TDs and six interceptions in those games.
Cleveland's season began with Super Bowl aspirations and has spiraled into survival mode. If things weren't tough enough for Watson, the Browns traded No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper this week to Buffalo. Cooper's stunning departure will force Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman to step up — if they can.
RB Nick Chubb will make his 2024 debut after last season ended in Week 2 with a grotesque knee injury. The four-time Pro Bowler hurt the same knee he wrecked while in college at Georgia. Chubb's return will help Cleveland's offense and lift his teammates and a fan base looking for any positive.
