CINCINNATI-- After three pathetic performances rushing the ball, the Browns bounced back by unleashing a three-headed monster.
Ben Tate, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell all scored rushing touchdowns and the trio combined for 170 yards on the ground as the Browns rolled to a 24-3 win over the Bengals to move to first place in the AFC North.
In the three previous games, the Browns totaled 158 yards overall rushing.
West started and had 26 carries for 94 yards (3.6 avg.) followed by Crowell, who had 12 rushes for 41 yards (3.4 avg.). Tate had 34 yards on 10 carries (3.4 avg.).
The tone was set on the first series after Craig Robertson intercepted Andy Dalton on the first possession of the game. The Browns ran five straight times covering 18 yards for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with 10:40 to play in the first quarter.
Browns coach Mike Pettine said establishing the run was key in the win.
"It was critical," Pettine said. "The fact that we were able to pound it in without attempting to pass was a statement. To jump out and take advantage of that turnover got them back on their heels."
West started the game and rushed four times to the 4-yard line. Tate entered and scored from four yards out on a run up the middle.
Crowell, who didn't get a carry last week, came in for the first time at running back after Travis Benjamin caught a 22-yard pass to the Bengals' 8. He had a 6-yard run to the two and then scored on the next play.
West was the final running back to score a touchdown as he scored from one yard out to cap a 63-yard drive with 4:46 to play in the third quarter to give the Browns a 24-3 lead.
Left guard Joel Bitionio said the line took it upon themselves to allow the backs to have some room to run.
"We knew if we didn't run the ball well we would have a tough job winning," Bitonio said. "We got the backs going."
Pettine agreed the line did a much better job than they had in the previous three games.
"It starts up front but the backs ran hard and there were holes there," Pettine said. "What we were doing schematically was helpful.
"I thought (offensive coordinator) Kyle (Shanahan) called a good game keeping them off balance," he said. "I think we had a good feel about what we were doing in the run game this week and felt much better about the running game."
Bitonio said the difference was simple from previous weeks.
"I think we executed better and made the blocks we didn't last week."
EXTRA POINTS
Browns Tops in AFC North: The Browns improved to 6-3 and are in first place in the AFC North. The Bengals drop to 5-3-1. The Browns won for the first time on the road in the AFC North since Sept. 29, 2008. The Browns haven't started 6-3 since the 1994 season.
Defense Shines: The defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions of Dalton.
DB Buster Skrine had two interceptions to lead the defense but Robertson's interception early in the game set the tone on defense as it set up the Browns first touchdown. The Browns other turnover came on a hit by DB Tashaun Gipson on running back Jeremy Hill that DB Joe Haden picked out of the air.
The Browns held QB Andy Dalton to a 2.0 rating and 86 yards.
Hoyer Chant: QB Brian Hoyer finished 15-of-23 for 198 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and a rating of 92.3. In the first half, Hoyer was 10-of-16 for 119 yards and a rating of 85.2 Hoyer was not sacked. The Browns fans at the game started chanting "BRIAN HOYER, BRIAN HOYER" with about eight minutes left in the game at Paul Brown Stadium.
Back to back Bryant: DL Desmond Bryant sacked Dalton on back-to-back plays on the Bengals first possession of the second half for the Browns only two sacks.
LB Karlos Dansby led the Browns with eight tackles. Bryant had six tackles to go with the two sacks.
Punt Return Problems Continue: DB Jim Leonhard, who is back for his sure hands, fumbled the first punt he handled and the Bengals turned it into a field goal to make it 7-3.
Receivers Step Up: WR Taylor Gabriel started his first game in place of WR Andrew Hawkins who was inactive. Gabriel had three catches for 31 yards, including a long of 18 yards.
WR Travis Benjamin caught 3 passes for 46 yards, including a long of 22 yards. WR Miles Austin had three for 24 in the first half and finished with five catches for 48 yards to lead the Browns.
TE Gary Barnidge had two catches for 46 yards but a 28-yard catch was a key play when he snagged it between two defenders and set up the Browns final touchdown on the three yard line.
Haden Factor: WR A.J Green had just 2 catches in the first half and finished with three receptions for 23 yards on 10 targets.
Dray Man: TE Jim Dray started in place of TE Jordan Cameron, who missed his second-straight game with a concussion.
Little Pay Back: Former Browns WR Greg Little vowed early in the week to make the Browns 'pay' for cutting him. Little did not catch a pass thrown his way, but picked up a personal foul for hitting a Browns player later in the first quarter
My Captain: Captains for the Browns were QB Brian Hoyer, WR Taylor Gabriel, DL Billy Winn and WR Andrew Hawkins, who was inactive. The Browns won the toss and deferred to the second half.
WR Andrew Hawkins, DB Johnson Bademosi, DB Pierre Desir, RB Glenn Winston,DB Robert Nelson, OL Vinston Painter and TE Jordan Cameron. Inactive for the Bengals were: WR Dane Sanzenbacher, RB Gio Bernard, DB Leon Hall, LB Vontaze Burfict, LB Rey Maualuga, OT Andre Smith and DE Will Clarke.
