Bengals 24-6 Browns (December 22, 2024) Game Recap

CINCINNATI – Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase continue to put up exceptional numbers, but the Cincinnati Bengals still need help to make the playoffs.

Burrow threw three touchdown passes, including one when he fell to the turf, and the Bengals kept their slim postseason hopes alive with a 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

“This one just keeps us in the race,” Burrow said. “It feels good to play in big games. It’s exciting to still be involved.”

The Bengals (7-8) have won three straight. They need to win their final two games and get help to secure a playoff spot.

Burrow finished 23 of 30 for 252 yards and became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw three or more touchdowns and 250 or more yards in seven straight games, surpassing New England’s record of six set by Tom Brady 2007 season.

Chase had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown in garbage time for Cincinnati, which rushed for 1,510 yards this season and broke its own franchise record of 1,455 yards set in 2021.

“It feels good, something I wanted to do,” said Chase, who leads the NFL in receptions (108), receiving yards and TD catches (16). “Being competitive, I wanted to compete with myself.”

Burrow leads the league with 4,229 passing yards and 39 touchdowns.

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson replacing Jameis Winston at quarterback, Cleveland (3-12) missed some opportunities in the red zone.

Jerome Ford had a 66-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. But D’Onta Foreman fumbled the first goal and Vonn Bell recovered.

“It’s a 14-point swing,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Not only did it kill them a little bit, stopping at the 1-yard line and then getting 99 (yards) gave us a lot of confidence and set the tone.”

In the third quarter, a holding penalty negated a TD run by Thompson-Robinson, whose pass in the end zone was also intercepted by Jordan Battle.

“If you turn the ball over in the red zone, especially in the first, obviously you’re not going to put yourself in a position to get a win on the road,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “No lack of effort. It’s a lack of ball protection.”

The Bengals capitalized on Foreman’s fumble when Burrow, while falling, threw a 2-yard TD pass to Tee Higgins to cap an eight-play, 99-yard drive.

The Bengals’ defense, which has struggled most of the season, has forced nine turnovers in the last two games.

“The guys did a great job on that side of the ball and gave us more possession on offense,” Taylor said

Thompson-Robinson passed for 157 yards and two interceptions after being named the starter this week ahead of Winston, who was inactive with a shoulder injury. He rushed for 49 yards and was sacked five times.

Ford rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

Burrow threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Chase with 1:44 left as the Bengals just had time running out.

Franchise brand

Cincinnati’s Cade York, a former Browns draft pick, set a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make the score 17-0.

It matched Evan McPherson’s 59-yarder on September 11, 2022. McPherson is on injured reserve with a groin injury.

“There was no ill will,” York said of the Browns. “I really enjoyed my time there. It was nice to beat them though.”

Garrett’s milestone

Myles Garrett, who said this week that the Browns franchise should focus on winning rather than rebuilding, recorded the 100th sack of his career in the second quarter.

“It made my dad proud,” Garrett said. “He’s been telling me for the last three weeks. I’m glad I did it. I don’t have giving up in my blood.”

Garrett has 12 sacks, joining Lawrence Taylor as the only players with 12 or more in five consecutive seasons.

Injuries

Browns: Two key starters returned with TE David Njoku and CB Martin Emerson Jr.

Bengals: RT Amarius Mims left the game with a left ankle injury and did not return. LT Orlando Brown Jr. was inactive due to a fibula injury.

Next

Browns: Host Miami next Sunday.

Bengals: Host Denver on Saturday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl