Week 11: Position by Position Breakdown for the Battle of Ohio Part II

Quarterback:

Little known fact: in 8 seasons in the league, Jason Campbell has never thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Not a little known fact: in his 1 start in 2013, Jason Campbell played very well against Baltimore (23/35 – 65.7%, 262 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 116.6 rating). Not a little known fact: Andy Dalton has sucked in his last 2 games (56/104 – 53.8%, 612 yds, 2 TDs, 6 INTs, 1 fumble, 53.8 rating). With that being said, I cannot give Campbell the advantage over Dalton: 1) in 8 seasons Campbell is 9 games under .500, Dalton is 8 games over .500 in just 2.5; 2) Campbell has never lead a team to the playoffs (0 for 8), while Dalton is 2 for 2; 3) Campbell has 5 TDs to 0 INTs, he is due for some; 4) Dalton has 2 TDs to 6 INTs over the last 2 games, he is due for some TDs and less INTs.

	Bengals	Browns
QB	ü
OL		ü
RB	ü
WR	ü
TE	ü
DL	ü
LB		ü
CB	ü
S		ü
K		ü
Coach	ü
Overall	ü

Advantage: Bengals

 

Offensive Line:

The Browns have given up 30 sacks in 9 games (25^th), while the Bengals just 26 in 10 games (18^th). However, these are two lines going in opposite directions. After surrendering 22 sacks in their first 5 games, the Browns have given up just 8 sacks in last 4. The Bengals on the other hand allowed just 16 sacks in their first 8 games and 10 in their last 2. With Whitworth and Cook hobbled, and Zeitler possibly out, the Browns have a clear advantage from a pass blocking standpoint. When it comes to run blocking, the Bengals have the advantage 108.1 ypg (18^th) to 81.6 (26^th), but a large part of that advantage is simply due to the backs each line blocks for BJGE + Bernard > McGahee + Ogbannaya. Overall, I take the Browns line over the Bengals.

Advantage: Browns

 

Running Backs:

9 games into the season, the Browns running backs have accounted for just 468 yards (counting Richardson’s 105) and 1 TD! BJGE alone – who is playing on a hurt ankle and having a poor year – has 460 yards and 3 TDs. Bernard adds another 419 yards and 4 TDs, giving the Bengals running backs a total of 879 yards and 7 TDs. This one is not even close.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Wide Receivers:

With Gordon, Little and Bess, the Browns have a respectable wide receiving corps, however, those 3 WRs have combined for 1,251 yards and 6 TDs. AJ Green alone has 1,013 yards and 6 TDs. In fact, the Bengals have 2 WRs (Green and Jones) that each have as many/more TDs (6 and 7) than the Browns top 3 WRs have combined (6). The emergence of Jones since their week 4 matchup should change the Battle of Ohio Part II.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Tight Ends:

Jordan Cameron is having one hell of a year (50 catches, 600 yards and 6 TDs), however, his production has dropped off lately. In his first 4 games, Cameron was averaging 7.5 receptions, 90 yards and 1.25 TDs per game (30 receptions, 360 yards, 5 TDs). In his last 5 games, Cameron is averaging just 4 receptions, 48 yards and .2 TDs per game (20 receptions, 240 yards, 1 TD). While the Bengals have not gotten the TD production from the TE position (2), they have 2 dynamic TEs (Eifert and Gresham) that have accounted for 66 receptions and 683 yards.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Defensive Line:

The Browns go with a base 3-4 and have a very solid defensive line both in terms of the pass (11.5 sacks from DL) and the rush (just 98.2 ypg – 6^th). Phil Taylor is a big boy in the middle and presents a problem for the Bengals up the middle - Kyle Cook at best is an average center and both he and Zeitler are dinged up. However, even without Geno Atkins, I have to give the Bengals DL the advantage. Not only are they good, they are deep. The Bengals have gotten 22.5 sacks from their DL, and while Brandon Thompson can’t replace Atkins in the pass rush, he, along with the rotation of Still (when healthy), Gilberry, etc., can certainly lessen the blow. And, like the Browns, the Bengals are no slouches in the run game either, yielding just 102 ypg (9^th). The strength of the Bengals defense is their DL.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Linebackers:

While the strength of the Bengals 4^th rated defense (ypg) is the DL, the strength the Browns 5^th rated defense (ypg) is their linebacking corps and their ability to rush the passer. And they are good at it. The Browns LBs have accounted for 15.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles in 9 games. Despite the 15.5 sacks, they don’t have 1 LB you can key on - Mingo leads the LBs with 4.0 – meaning they all can rush the passer. All 5 of the Browns main LBs have at least 1.5 sacks and 4 have at least 2.5+ (Robertson, Kruger, Sheard, Mingo). The Bengals best way to attack this group is likely to try and get them into coverage where they should have the advantage. The Bengals, on the other hand, don’t rush the passer nearly as well from the LB position (6.0 sacks – and 3 of those are from a backup last week - Rey). However, the Bengals LBs are no pushovers either. Burfict leads the NFL with 103 tackles and likely will be the best all-around LB on the field Sunday. Harrison, while not the player he once was, can still disrupt things and get after the passer (2.0 sacks in limited snaps), and though Maualuga will be out again, his backup (Vinnie Rey) may be better (15 tackles and 3 sacks in just his 2^nd start last week). Overall though, the Browns have the advantage here.

Advantage: Browns

 

Cornerbacks:

With Joe Hayden on the Browns, this Bengals advantagemay come as a bit of a shock, but here’s why. Yes, Joe Hayden is the best CB on the field (and one of the best in the NFL), however, in today’s NFL, the cornerback group has to include 3 CBs. Even without Hall, I like the Bengals 3 first round CBs as a group better than the Browns 3 CBs. The Browns top 3 CBs have the advantage in sacks (3.5-0) and passes defensed (28-20), the Bengals top 3 hold the advantage in INTs (4-2), experience/saviness (20 years to 12 years) and size (5’10”, 5’10”, 6’2” vs 5’9”, 5’9”, 5’11”. Also, other than AJ Green, the Browns have yet to play against a healthy top tier WR. Against Detroit, the Browns gave Stafford 248 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT despite Calvin Johnson being limited. Against Green Bay, the Browns gave Rodgers 260 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs despite Rodgers missing Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jermichael Finley. The Bengals on the other hand – with all the receiving options healthy – surrendered just 244 yards to Rodgers, 1 TD and 2 INTs.

Advantage: Bengals

 

Safeties:

While the Bengals safeties have played very solid this year and been a pleasant surprise, the Browns are getting much more production from their safeties. Gipson and Ward have combined for 4 INTs, 13 passes defensed, 1.5 sacks and 1 TD. Nelson and Iloka on the other hand have combined for just 1 INT, 4 passes defensed, 1 sack and 0 TDs. Based on production, the Browns have the advantage at the safety position.

Advantage: Browns

 

Kicker:

Nugent is 13/17 (76.5%) and is in my crosshairs. Cundiff is 13/15 (86.7%) and is not in my crosshairs.

Advantage: Browns

 

Coach:

I never thought I would be giving Marvin as much love as I have in recent matchups, but his improved challenge percentage and new aggressive play calling is starting to win me over. Plus, Marvin has about 10 more years of NFL head coaching experience than Chudzinski.  

Advantage: Bengals