NFL GAME PREVIEW

Week 13 Preview: Browns at Bengals

The Sports Xchange

December 03, 2015 at 10:59 am.

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Austin Davis (7) scrambles in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Austin Davis (7) scrambles in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals (9-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-9)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at FirstEngery Stadium, Cleveland – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Justin Kutcher, Matt Millen, Peter Schrager

*Keys to the game: With QB Josh McCown out for the season and Johnny Manziel still in coach Mike Pettine’s doghouse, the Browns will give Austin Davis his first start of the season. Davis is mobile and has plenty of athleticism to threaten defenses. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 77 yards in crunch time relief last week, but is very green and was highly inconsistent during his playing time for St. Louis last season.

The Browns can’t afford early turnovers from Davis, who needs help from the ground game. RBs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson combined for 38 yards on 13 carries in Cleveland’s 31-10 loss at Cincinnati four weeks ago. They must be a bigger factor in helping the Browns control the ball and keep the score within reach.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton picked the Browns apart like a surgeon in the first meeting, completing 21 of 27 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns while getting 124 yards out of his backfield. If the Browns’ 31st-ranked run defense can’t create a steady diet of third-and-longs, the secondary will again see Dalton feasting on mismatches all over the field.

*Matchup to watch – Bengals LDE Carlos Dunlap vs. Browns RT Mitchell Schwartz: Dunlap dominated this battle in the first meeting, racking up a pair of sacks for 16 yards and three quarterback hits.

*Player spotlight – Davis: As the Browns ponder their future at the position, the 26-year-old Davis is being given an opportunity to earn the backup role next season. He has intriguing raw tools, but must show enough development to warrant being groomed as a primary backup.

*Fast facts: Dalton has a 128.2 passer rating with six touchdowns and no interceptions in the first quarter this season. … Davis completed 180 of 284 passes for 2,001 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 10 games (eight starts) with St. Louis last season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Bengals are chasing a bye week and a possible No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. They won’t overlook a rival, no matter how downtrodden. While Browns QB Austin Davis makes a handful of impressive plays per game, he struggles to put together four mistake-free quarters.

*Our pick: Bengals 34-17.

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