Opening notes:
Bengals 17 Browns 16
The Bengals are 1-0. Somehow. Hey, it beats the alternative.
DJ Turner’s first career interception sealed the deal with 90-seconds left at the Browns 47-yard line…..and the Bengals survived.
Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt missed a 36-yard FG with 2:22 left in the game, after missing an earlier PAT.
Time of possession: Bengals 24:11, Browns 35:49
Plays: Bengals 49, Browns 71
Total yards: Bengals 141, Browns 327
1st downs: Bengals 11, Browns 22
Turnovers forced: Bengals 2, Browns 0
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How it unfolded:
The Bengals led 7-0 after the game’s opening drive, and 14-10 at the half.
Trailing 16-14 in the 3rd, Jordan Battle’s interception of Joe Flacco was converted to an Evan McPherson 35-yard go-ahead FG with 2:48 left in the quarter.
Offense:
TD on two of the first three possessions.
Opening drive TD: 12 plays/68 yards/7:28. Brown 5-yard TD run.
First 3rd & 1: Brown up gut for 1st down
4th QT: Leading 17-16 in 4th, Burrow was sacked three straight snaps around the 8:00 mark, twice by Myles Garrett.
4th QT: Bengals failed on 3rd & 1 (Chase Brown run) at the 2:00 minute mark from their own 35 and were forced to punt.
Burned two timeouts with confusion.
Burrow: 14-23-113, 1 TD, 3 sacks
Under center/play-action TD Fant
Ja’Marr Chase: 2-26…Tee Higgins: 3-33
End half: ran two plays starting own 26 w/ :18 left.
Chase Brown: 21-43 rushing, 2-8 receiving. 8 touches/12 play opening drive.
Noah Fant: 4-26. Catch 1st play game. 1-yd TD w/ 7 OL before half. 1 TD last year/previous 33 games.
3rd down: 7-14
2nd half:
3rd QT: 3 & out 1st drive, after Browns 7:40 TD drive.
4th QT 7 plays, 17 yards, FG
4th QT: 3 & out, 1 yard
Defense
Two turnovers, two sacks
Turnovers:
Jordan Battle INT after Browns TD, Bengals 3 and out late 3rd…led to McPherson go-ahead FG.
Turner INT 1:20 left.
1st drive TD: 16-67 yds/9:50. 4 penalties (3-3rd D): CBT, Burks, Turner, Hendrickson.
4th QT: 3rd & 7. Allowed 13-yard completion to Bengals 26 with 6:15 to go.
Pressure: BJ Hill sack forced FG attempt that missed w/ 2:30 left.
Trey sack/drew 3rd D hold in 4th.
Shemar Stewart: Tip pass + early bat down wiped by penalty.
Demetrius Knight all over: 8 tackles/PBU 1st H…10 total.
Logan Wilson: 2 PBU 1st H. Blue tent 3rd. Returned late in the quarter.
Barrett Carter entered for shaken Wilson in 3rd. Played w/ 2 rookie LB couple drives.
3rd QT go-ahead TD drive (7:40): 4 for 4 3rd D. Allowed 3rd & 3 run of 4-yards from Bengals 9. TD pass next play. PAT miss. 16-14 Browns.
Special Teams
Evan McPherson: 35 yard FG
Ryan Rehkow: 2 TB, including from CLEV 42/4th & 7.
49-yarder to Browns 1 w/ :19 left. PJ Jules downed the final punt.
Charlie Jones: 23 yd PR.
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Injuries:
The Bengals lost Lucas Patrick for the game after a calf injury early in the 2nd quarter. Logan Wilson missed a couple of 3rd quarter series, before returning after passing concussion protocol. Geno Stone departed with injury late 3rd QT, replaced by Tycen Anderson