Browns studs and duds: Secondary torched by Bengals in Week 14

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports /
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Browns, David Njoku. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns Stud: David Njoku, Tight End

Cleveland got the win over Houston in Week 13 but it was clear their offense missed David Njoku. The hero from their win over Tampa Bay was out with a knee injury but came back against the Bengals and had another day to remember.

In the third quarter, with the Browns trailing 20-3, Njoku completely took over a drive. He hauled in a six-yard pass on fourth-and-five and then caught the next two passes as well, going for 14 yards and then a 13-yard touchdown.

Njoku finished the day with seven receptions on nine targets for 59 yards and a touchdown. He’s continued to excel and ended up hauling in the first touchdown pass of the season for Deshaun Watson.

Cleveland Browns Dud: Denzel Ward

Not long after the Tony Fields penalty gave the Bengals the ball back, Denzel Ward found himself getting picked on. First, he was flagged for pass interference on Ja’Marr Chase, giving their opponent 33 yards for free.

That same drive ended with Burrow again targeting Ward as he hit Chase for a 15-yard touchdown to go up 7-0. John Johnson III was there as well but neither player seemed to know where the ball was as they surrendered the touchdown.

Ward wasn’t alone in his struggles as the entire secondary had issues coming up with key stops.