Browns vs. Bengals: 3 takeaways from the demoralizing loss

While the defense played well two weeks ago against the New York Giants, there was seemingly a lapse in preparation for Sunday’s game.

The defense allowed touchdowns on the first two drives, putting the Browns down 13-0 with just over six minutes left in the first quarter. And for an offense this bad, that early deficit essentially sealed the Browns’ fate.

Jeremy Hill led the way for the Bengals with 111 rushing yards, while the team ran for a total of 213 yards.

Andy Dalton added 180 yards through the air, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Browns did sack him four times, but it did not make much of a difference. The 20-0 deficit at halftime offset any benefit of a sack or two in the second half.

The 23 points scored by the Bengals was the fewest scored by a Browns opponent all season, although the total easily could have been 24 or 27 if not for some missed kicks. Regardless, not being able to hold a team under 23 points is a horrible problem to have, and something that must be addressed with defensive selections in the 2017 Draft.