Browns vs. Bengals: 5 Questions with Stripe Hype

Oct 18, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns take on the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night, so we caught up with Connor Howe of Stripe Hype to get his take on the matchup between the undefeated Bengals and the 2-6 Browns.

Q: What is the difference this year with Andy Dalton and can he take the Bengals to the next level?

Connor: Most people think that Andy Dalton’s 2015 performance is either a product of Hue Jackson’s system or a result of culminating several weapons on offense. And while I somewhat agree–continuity in the coaching staff and surrounding a quarterback with weapons can really help–I also think that Dalton has been a good quarterback throughout his career (I blame the Bengals’ playoff failures on Cincinnati’s complete ineptitude in stopping the run on defense and establishing the run on offense). The bigger difference with Dalton has been his progression as a quarterback; his footwork has gotten better, his decision-making has drastically improved, he’s a more confident quarterback and he even looks like he has a stronger arm.

I believe Dalton can absolutely take the Bengals to the next level. You look at Joe Flacco this season, and his lack of an offensive arsenal has clearly been detrimental to his play. Surrounding Dalton with weapons (and the fact that his receivers are healthy) has helped him become a more comfortable player, and playing behind a great offensive line gives him time to find the guys he wants to find and take the shots downfield that he wants to take.

Like I said, I don’t think that Dalton has been the problem in the playoffs for Cincinnati. A Bengals running back has only eclipsed 50 yards once in Cincinnati’s four playoff games (BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the Bengals’ second game against the Texans), while the defense has given up hundreds of yards to opposing running backs in January. Cincinnati’s coaching and defense, not Andy Dalton, failed the Bengals in the playoffs. I don’t think Dalton is the problem.

Q: The Bengals have just about wrapped up the division, can they maintain their focus if they don’t have to play a meaningful game again for almost two months?

Connor: I still think they can maintain focus. Cincinnati has three straight prime time games in the upcoming three weeks, and the Bengals going to have to answer the national media’s question of whether it can win under the lights. The Bengals will also have two prime time games in Weeks 15 and 16–one of which is against the Broncos. So I don’t think there’s necessarily a lack of meaningful games.

In addition, the Patriots and Broncos are both also 7-0, which means the Bengals will have to keep winning if they want to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Q: The Browns will be starting Johnny Manziel on Thursday night. Does that make a difference to the Bengals?

Connor: I don’t think it makes as much of a difference to the Bengals as it does to the Browns. Johnny Manziel got waxed in the last matchup between these two teams, and seeing whether Manziel comes out with a vengeance or comes out timidly could really show the Browns what their quarterback is made of. That being said, I think the Bengals’ defenders will be more excited to get after Johnny because he’s more mistake-prone than Josh McCown. But at the end of the day, I don’t think it would make much of a difference whether Manziel or McCown starts.

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Q: Jeremy Hill has struggled this season but is facing the league’s worst run defense in the Browns. Is this the week he takes off?

Connor: I certainly hope so. Hill looked pretty good against Pittsburgh last week, but the Bengals seemed hesitant to run. While the passing attack has been dominant on a weekly basis, outside of the game in Pittsburgh, the running game hasn’t gotten to take off. Some of that is due to Hill’s slow start, but a lot can be attributed to Hue Jackson’s intent on establishing a lethal passing attack.

I think the Bengals should slow it down this week and establish a run game. If they do choose to pound the rock on the ground, I fully expect Jeremy Hill to run all over Cleveland. But while Hill averages over 100 yards per game against Cleveland, he also fumbled the ball three times against the Browns in 2014. He’s going to need to prove that he can hold onto the ball. If Hill fumbles, Giovani Bernard could come in and take his place.

Q: Who wins (and why?)

Connor: I’ve picked the Bengals to win in every week this season, so I’m sticking with Cincinnati here. I’m actually extremely nervous about this game, as the Browns’ decimation of the Bengals happened last year on Thursday Night Football, in Cincinnati, on November 6. This year’s matchup takes place on Thursday Night Football, in Cincinnati, on November 5. Scary.

That being said, I’ve got the Bengals winning 27-13 in this one.