Dawgs By Nature
First Battle of Ohio 2024 Edition goes to the Bengals as Browns can’t overcome mistakes
The “Battle of Ohio.” This year, that should be changed to the “Bust of Ohio.” Both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals have been pretty bad this season. Still, the loser of this game will claim the basement of the AFC North Division outright.
Neither club has a good offense and their defenses are pretty good just have to be on the field for what seems forever in each game.
At the final gun, the Bengals outlasted the Browns 21-14.
So who played well for the Browns? Who didn’t?
RB Nick Chubb - His return was supposed to spark this offense, but sadly, did for only a short burst on his touchdown run. Happy to see the caped crusader back out on the field, but in “football shape” he struggled a bit. He gained 11 yards early in the second quarter and you could hear the venue rock. Scored with just 56 ticks on the clock before halftime and the stadium literally moved three feet. 11 carries for 22 yards is the pedestrian version of Chubb especially his single catch for 10 yards. Welcome back!
P Corey Bojorquez - It is a sad sight that every week your team’s punter is one of the stars of the game. Bojo had four punts in the first half alone and finished with seven for 355 yards with three inside the 20 including one in the third quarter that was downed at the three. 50.7 yards per punt average with a long of 58 yards.
CB Denzel Ward - Was odd that Ward wasn’t on Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase for most of the game. Had his share of pass breakups that would have been large chunks of real estate. Slapped the ball away from WR Andrei Losivas on a key third-and-eight in the second quarter to force a punt. Right before the half Ward stuffed the larger TE Mike Gesicki for only a two-yard gain. With 12:02 remaining in the game facing a third-and-nine and Cincy trying to move downfield to ice the game, a long pass to Tee Higgins was caught by the receiver only to have Ward swipe it away on the descent to the turf. Three total tackles.
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah - Another active day for the linebacker who is playing at a Pro Bowl pace. Led all tacklers with seven. When S Greg Newsome lost Higgins across the middle midway through the first stanza it was JOK who chased him down after a 17-yard gain. The Bengals could not run up the middle with JOK and LB Jordan Hicks filling gaps for short gains. In the final period with a third-and-seven, JOK hit RB Chase Brown for a three-yard gain which forced a punt.
TE David Njoku - I guess one playmaker is better than none, as Njoku filled that void. Had several good catches that moved the chains. Had a...
