FULL BOX SCORE

Nick Shook's insights:

1. The Bengals are fighting for a tough division win. Cincinnati's offense went scoreless in the first half and couldn't get the Browns going, but they made a handful of plays that made the difference Sunday. These pieces were the product of Joe Burrow'S excellent relationship with his two most important targets. Burrow hit Ja'Marr Chase with a perfect back-shoulder completion for a touchdown to make it 14-6, and after a few perimeter passes and runs, he turned it around T-shirt Higgins on a quick slant for an almost effortless touchdown pass. That was mostly all for the day, but it was enough thanks to Cincinnati's newfound complementary style. With two straight wins under their belt, the Bengals will draw attention as the favorites of those looking for an unlikely playoff berth. If they play like they did Sunday — and have more success against defenses that aren't as good as Cleveland's — they'll soon be back in the postseason conversation.
2. Browns spin the QB carousel. Deshaun Watson left in the first half on Sunday after suffering what is believed to be a season-ending Achilles tendon tear. That opened the door for the Browns to take a look at their offense while someone else was running it. On Sunday, that other passer was a sophomore Dorian Thompson Robinsonwho started with a few nice (and admittedly dangerous) runs, completed a handful of passes, but eventually showed the rust that had built up from not playing in the regular season since the middle of last season. Thompson-Robinson also eventually left with a finger injury, forcing the Browns to use the third quarterback in an emergency Jameis Winston. Unsurprisingly, Winston appeared to be the best of the three, leading a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that will undoubtedly have people wondering whether Winston should be the Browns' starter going forward. It's déjà vu again in Cleveland, but this time the optimism is missing – and Joe Flacco don't go through this door.
3. Cincinnati's defense has made a costume change. Burrow and the Bengals' offense were tasked with carrying the entire franchise on their backs through the first five weeks of the 2024 season, putting up tons of points just to give Cincinnati a chance to win while their defense struggled to get stops to get. This reality has changed dramatically in the last two weeks. For the second straight year, the Bengals allowed 14 or fewer points in a win, marking the first time they had done so in consecutive games since Week 11-12 of the 2021 season – the same season in which they appeared in the Super Bowl to reach. Lou Anarumo's much-maligned bunch is suddenly playing with a ferocity – and, most importantly, a new strong defensive front – that is making life very difficult for opposing offenses. Cleveland found out about it on Sunday, gaining 336 yards but averaging less than five yards per play and turning it over twice. Trey Hendrickson remains a machine, and the Bengals' run defense is significantly better than it was in the first five weeks. That helps the back end of the defense and creates a group that is suddenly playing well enough to potentially pull off an unlikely comeback from its 1-4 start.

Inside the next generation of Bengals-Browns stats (via NFL Pro): Joe Burrow completed 15 of 25 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns, with most of his production coming in the rushing passing game (12 of 17, 147 yards, 2 touchdowns). He faced plenty of zone coverage and finished 12 of 20 for 133 yards, but made a name for himself by throwing both touchdowns against man coverage.

NFL Research: The Browns are the first team since the Chiefs (Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard and Tyler Thigpen) in Week 7 of the 2008 season to have three different players have more than 10 pass attempts in a game.