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CIN |
CLE |
Dalton throws 4 TD passes, Bengals blow out Browns 31-7
CLEVELAND (AP) Lost for three weeks, Andy Dalton and the Bengals finally found their footing in a familiar place.
All it took was a trip to the shores of Lake Erie.
Dalton threw three of his four touchdown passes in the first half and Cincinnati's offense found the perfect opponent to work out some early season struggles as the Bengals rolled to a 31-7 win Sunday over the overmatched Browns.
Dalton only missed on one throw in the first half, going 17 of 18 for 215 yards as the Bengals (1-3) built a 21-0 lead, cleared out FirstEnergy Stadium and won their sixth in a row over their in-state rival.
''This was the next one on the schedule and we wanted to do whatever we could to get a win,'' said Dalton, who completed 16 straight passes in one stretch. ''We needed it. There's one.''
Cincinnati has won its past four games in Cleveland by a combined 121-20.
Entering as the NFL's No. 30 ranked quarterback, Dalton connected with A.J. Green, Tyler Croft and Giovani Bernard in the first half while dissecting the young Browns (0-4), who were again plagued by mistakes and were down three defensive starters.
Dalton finished 25 of 30 for 286 yards. His second TD to Croft in the third quarter made it 31-0, and sent even some of the most die-hard Browns fans toward the exits.
The performance continued a stunning turnaround for Dalton, who didn't throw a TD pass and had four interceptions in his first two games. In the past two weeks, he has six TDs and no picks.
This was the breakthrough the Bengals were looking for after a sluggish start, which included coach Marvin Lewis firing offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after the offense failed to score a TD in its first two games.
But after a solid performance last week with Bill Lazor calling plays in an overtime loss at Green Bay, the Bengals broke free against the Browns.
Everybody does.
Cleveland fell to 1-19 in two seasons under coach Hue Jackson, who has been handed the league's youngest roster and is trying to break in rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer without many weapons.
The Browns are hurting themselves with unforced errors, but they're also regressing since a 21-18 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 1.
''I am not going to let this team go backward,'' Jackson said. ''We did today. There is no question about that. We have some work to do. I think to a man in there, we will go back to work. We will put our heads down and get better.''
Following the game, Jackson embraced his former boss, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who was asked what he told his good friend.
''Don't let them quit on you,'' Lewis said.
The Browns were again without top pick Myles Garrett. The rookie pass rusher returned to practice Thursday and didn't report any problems, but the Browns are being cautious and will delay his regular-season debut at least one more week. They were also missing starting outside linebacker Jamie Collins (concussion) and massive tackle Danny Shelton (calf).
Dalton dominated the rest of Cleveland's defense.
Already up by two TDs, the Bengals got the ball back with 1:40 left in the first half and appeared content to play it safe and maybe get into field-goal position.
But the Browns blitzed and Dalton alertly dumped the ball into the right flat to the speedy Bernard. With a convoy of blockers in front of him, Bernard streaked untouched to the end zone for a 61-yard touchdown.
BURFICT FIT
Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict returned from his three-game suspension, giving Cincinnati's defense some pop - literally. Burfict made his presence known with his typical hits and he was also flagged for roughing Kizer in the fourth quarter, a shot that will likely earn him more league discipline.
ROOKIE ROCKED
Kizer was only sacked once after being dropped 10 times in the first three games, but he absorbed some punishment while going 16 of 34 for 118 yards.
''Those guys are big,'' he said. ''You are going to feel every hit you take. Got out of there with no bumps and bruises.''
SHOCKING TURN-AROUND
Since winning in Cincinnati on Nov. 6, 2014 to improve to 6-3, the Browns are 4-38.
ALL ALONE
The Browns remain the only team in the league not to lead at any point through four games. They had an early chance after Emmanuel Ogbah's strip sack of Dalton on Cincinnati's first possession.
But Cleveland didn't gain a yard in three plays and rookie Zane Gonzalez missed a 48-yard field goal.
PACMAN DELIVERS
Adam ''Pacman'' Jones, who turned 34 on Saturday, helped set up Cincinnati's first touchdown with a 40-yard punt return.
INJURIES
Bengals: H-back Ryan Hewitt injured his knee in the first half and didn't return. C T.J. Johnson also went out with a neck injury.
Browns: WR Jordan Leslie (hamstring), LB Dominique Alexander (knee).
UP NEXT
Bengals: Host Buffalo.
Browns: Host the New York Jets, led by former Cleveland quarterback Josh McCown.
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
A. Dalton
14 QB 286 PaYds, 4 PaTDs, 29 RuYds |
35
FPTS
|
|
D. Johnson
22 RB 13 RuYds, RuTD, 47 ReYds, 9 RECs |
11
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
A. DaltonÂ
14 QB
35 FPTS
|
A. Dalton | 25/30 | 286 | 4 | 0 | 35 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. MixonÂ
28 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Mixon | 17 | 29 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. DaltonÂ
14 QB
35 FPTS
|
A. Dalton | 4 | 29 | 0 | 12 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HillÂ
32 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 6 | 16 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. BernardÂ
25 RB
13 FPTS
|
G. Bernard | 3 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. KroftÂ
81 TE
18 FPTS
|
T. Kroft | 7 | 6 | 68 | 2 | 21 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. BernardÂ
25 RB
13 FPTS
|
G. Bernard | 4 | 3 | 67 | 1 | 61 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. GreenÂ
18 WR
12 FPTS
|
A. Green | 7 | 5 | 63 | 1 | 25 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. MixonÂ
28 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Mixon | 4 | 4 | 19 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. LaFellÂ
11 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. LaFell | 3 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. HewittÂ
89 TE
1 FPTS
|
R. Hewitt | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. BoydÂ
83 WR
1 FPTS
|
T. Boyd | 2 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. UzomahÂ
87 TE
1 FPTS
|
C. Uzomah | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HillÂ
32 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
N. VigilÂ
59 OLB
|
N. Vigil | 8-4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. RussellÂ
20 CB
|
K. Russell | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BurfictÂ
55 OLB
|
V. Burfict | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. DennardÂ
21 CB
|
D. Dennard | 3-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. DunlapÂ
96 DE
|
C. Dunlap | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. WilliamsÂ
36 SS
|
S. Williams | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. UzomahÂ
87 TE
|
C. Uzomah | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KirkpatrickÂ
27 CB
|
D. Kirkpatrick | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. SmithÂ
94 DE
|
C. Smith | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WillisÂ
75 DE
|
J. Willis | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. FejedelemÂ
42 SS
|
C. Fejedelem | 1-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. AtkinsÂ
97 DT
|
G. Atkins | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. JacksonÂ
22 CB
|
W. Jackson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BolingÂ
65 G
|
C. Boling | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ShawÂ
26 CB
|
J. Shaw | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. JohnsonÂ
90 DE
|
M. Johnson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. IlokaÂ
43 FS
|
G. Iloka | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. JonesÂ
24 CB
|
A. Jones | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. ReyÂ
57 OLB
|
V. Rey | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
R. BullockÂ
4 K
7 FPTS
|
R. Bullock | 1/1 | 41 | 4/4 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
K. HuberÂ
10 P
|
K. Huber | 4 | 47.8 | 2 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
G. BernardÂ
25 RB
13 FPTS
|
G. Bernard | 1 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Erickson 12 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Erickson | 5 | 6.6 | 14 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Jones 24 CB
0 FPTS
|
A. Jones | 1 | 40.0 | 40 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
I. CrowellÂ
34 RB
2 FPTS
|
I. Crowell | 7 | 20 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JohnsonÂ
29 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Johnson | 4 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KizerÂ
7 QB
3 FPTS
|
D. Kizer | 5 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DayesÂ
27 RB
0 FPTS
|
M. Dayes | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
R. LouisÂ
80 WR
6 FPTS
|
R. Louis | 9 | 5 | 64 | 0 | 31 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. BrittÂ
18 WR
5 FPTS
|
K. Britt | 8 | 3 | 52 | 0 | 26 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. JohnsonÂ
29 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Johnson | 10 | 9 | 47 | 0 | 9 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. NjokuÂ
85 TE
1 FPTS
|
D. Njoku | 2 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. CrowellÂ
34 RB
2 FPTS
|
I. Crowell | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. DeValveÂ
87 TE
0 FPTS
|
S. DeValve | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. WilliamsÂ
82 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Williams | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. HigginsÂ
81 WR
0 FPTS
|
R. Higgins | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. McCourtyÂ
30 CB
|
J. McCourty | 7-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SchobertÂ
53 MLB
|
J. Schobert | 5-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. KirkseyÂ
58 OLB
|
C. Kirksey | 4-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. OgbahÂ
90 DE
|
E. Ogbah | 4-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BurgessÂ
52 ILB
|
J. Burgess | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. TaylorÂ
21 CB
|
J. Taylor | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Boddy-CalhounÂ
20 SS
|
B. Boddy-Calhoun | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BrantleyÂ
99 DT
|
C. Brantley | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColeyÂ
93 DT
|
T. Coley | 2-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. OrchardÂ
44 DE
|
N. Orchard | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. VitaleÂ
40 FB
|
D. Vitale | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PeppersÂ
22 FS
|
J. Peppers | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. NassibÂ
94 DE
|
C. Nassib | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MederÂ
98 DT
|
J. Meder | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. OgunjobiÂ
65 DT
|
L. Ogunjobi | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JohnsonÂ
29 RB
|
D. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. DeValveÂ
87 TE
|
S. DeValve | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. JordanÂ
41 CB
|
M. Jordan | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KindredÂ
26 SS
|
D. Kindred | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Z. GonzalezÂ
5 K
1 FPTS
|
Z. Gonzalez | 0/1 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. ColquittÂ
4 P
|
B. Colquitt | 6 | 49.2 | 1 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. PeppersÂ
22 FS
0 FPTS
|
J. Peppers | 5 | 23.2 | 29 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Peppers 22 FS
0 FPTS
|
J. Peppers | 3 | 1.3 | 7 | 0 |