Cincinnati Bengals

Browns at Bengals: Highlights, score and recap

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Andy Dalton and A.J. Green can get the Cincinnati Bengals back into the thick of the AFC North race by dominating the winless Cleveland Browns in Week 7.

Injuries in the secondary represent terrible news for the 0-6 Browns, especially given how well Green is playing. The Bengals may have limped to a 2-4 start, but Green still has 42 catches and 606 yards to his credit.

Meanwhile, Dalton has also passed his way to a 97.2 rating, including three games where he went over 295 yards. Expect the Dalton and Green combo to be too much for a depleted Cleveland defensive backfield this week.

The Browns’ best bet will be to try and trade points. So it will be incumbent on rookie quarterback Cody Kessler to use his weapons wisely.

Fortunately, Kessler can turn to Duke Johnson, one of the NFL‘s most effective pass-catchers out of the backfield. The second-year running back can play a vital role in keeping Kessler free of Cincinnati’s marauding front four.

Highlights

Highlights will be added as and when they happen.

Three Stars

Here are the three players who should thrive at Paul Brown Stadium:

1. A.J. Green

Facing Green when you’re at full strength is tough enough. But the Browns must be ruing their luck knowing two members of their secondary are likely to miss out.

Safety Jordan Poyer has certainly been ruled out after being placed on injured reserve, according to the league’s official site. His loss is costly, but nothing compared to the prospect of shutdown cornerback Joe Haden being unavailable.

The cover man most likely to be tasked with shadowing Green, is listed as “doubtful,” per the Browns’ Twitter account.

Both losses mean Cleveland defensive coordinator Ray Horton will be without his best means of doubling Green outside. So expect Dalton to chance his arm on the post plays and fly patterns Green has used to take the top off defenses for years.

Not having Haden would also discourage Horton from matching up one-on-one with Green underneath. So their should be more room for Dalton’s other weapons.

2. Andy Dalton

If Horton compensates by crowding Green, Cincy’s other receivers will be left isolated in favorable matchups. It would be good news for Dalton, who should spread the ball around more.

The Red Rifle has plenty to aim for. In particular, he can make greater use of rookie slant specialist Tyler Boyd and bulky yet mobile tight end C.J. Uzomah.

Boyd has already showcased useful skills by catching 19 passes for 242 yards. He can thrive on possession-type routes, but is also effective enough after the catch to turn quick-hitters into big plays.

As for Uzomah, he’s a natural size mismatch at 6’6″ and 265 pounds. He should see the ball come his way, even if Tyler Eifert actually makes his long-awaited return. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis hasn’t ruled Eifert out after a steady return to practice, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.

Dalton can even isolate sure-handed and swift-footed running back Giovani Bernard against Cleveland’s heavy linebackers.

There are matchup advantages everywhere for the man under center in Cincy this week.

3. Duke Johnson

Speaking of a matchup favoring the offense, it’s what Johnson gives the Browns each week. He’s not just a steady pair of hands out of the backfield, the 2015 third-round pick is also an intelligent receiver who understands pass concepts.

Johnson’s breaks are swift and deceptive, while his routes are precise. Kessler can put the ball into space and trust Johnson will be there to snag it.

Just as important, Cleveland’s No. 29 is lightning in a bottle after the catch. Few backs are as shifty and sudden as this turbo-heeled 23-year-old.

The Bengals have some talent at linebacker, but like the Browns, they’re plodding. Vontaze Burfcit and Vincent Rey hit for keeps, but they’ll struggle to stay with Johnson in space.

Meanwhile, Karlos Dansby is shrewd in coverage, but the 34-year-old doesn’t have the speed anymore to make his body follow the brain’s orders.

Next Week

The Bengals will be at Wembley trying to beat NFC East contenders the Washington Redskins. Over in Cleveland, the Browns will welcome the New York Jets to the Dawg Pound.