Bengals-Browns Capsule

By AP
Published

CINCINNATI (0-3) at CLEVELAND (0-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS

OPENING LINE - Bengals by 2

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Cincinnati 1-2, Cleveland 1-2

SERIES RECORD - Bengals lead 48-39

LAST MEETING - Bengals beat Browns 23-10, Dec. 11, 2016

LAST WEEK - Bengals lost to Packers 27-24, OT; Browns lost to Colts 31-28

AP PRO32 RANKING - Bengals No. 27, Browns No. 32

BENGALS OFFENSE - OVERALL (31), RUSH (21), PASS (28)

BENGALS DEFENSE - OVERALL (7), RUSH (25), PASS (19)

BROWNS OFFENSE - OVERALL (16), RUSH (24), PASS (13)

BROWNS DEFENSE - OVERALL (11), RUSH (14), PASS (4)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Ohio's two NFL teams enter winless and somewhat aimless. ... Last time Browns and Bengals both entered 0-3 was 2008, when Cleveland came away with 20-12 win. ... Bengals have won five straight in series and 19 of 25. ... Bengals played well last week at Lambeau Field before Aaron Rodgers worked some late magic. .... Hard-hitting LB Vontaze Burfict returns from three-game suspension stemming from exhibition season shot - and previous infractions - on Chiefs FB Anthony Sherman. Because of track record, Burfict needs to be on best behavior to avoid further punishment. He also started last season with three-game suspension. ... Bengals off to 14th 0-3 start in club history. ... Bengals' offense ended 25-series TD drought vs. Packers, scoring on first possession under new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who replaced Ken Zampese after 0-2 start. ... WR A.J. Green had 10 catches in loss to Packers, matching total from first two games. ... Rookie RB Joe Mixon had 18 carries, one more than first two games combined. ... Bengals rookie DE Carl Lawson had 2 1-2 sacks vs. Packers' injury-depleted line. ... Browns enter 1-18 in second season under coach Hue Jackson, trying to avoid his second straight 0-4 start. Jackson going up against team he knows well after he spent four seasons on Cincy's staff. ... Rookie QB DeShone Kizer bounced back in his third start, throwing for 242 yards and two touchdowns last week. ... RB Duke Johnson led Browns with six catches for 81 yards last week and role on offense could expand. ... S Jabrill Peppers disappointed with game last week at Indy, missed critical tackle on T.Y. Hilton's 61-yard TD pass. Peppers said he had trouble sleeping for two days. ... Rookie DE Myles Garrett practiced some this week after top overall pick missed first three games with high right-ankle sprain. It's possible he could be used in obvious pass situations. Fantasy Tip: Green always seems to play well against Browns, and this time he's not facing two-time Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden, who's with Pittsburgh. Green has 52 receptions and six TDs in 11 games against Cleveland.

---

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL .