Heading into Thursday night football, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert was one of the clear up-and-coming stars in the NFL today.
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QB Josh McCown (ribs) was inactive Thursday after being limited in practice this week.
-RUN DEFENSE: A. Cleveland was expected to try and establish the run on Thursday to keep the pressure off quarterback Johnny Manziel, but that strategy didn’t work so well.
The Bengals grabbed a 7-0 lead on Dalton’s nine-yard pass to tight end Eifert, then went up 14-3 when that duo combined again. He posted solid stats – 11 of 18 for 128 yards – in the first half, but Manziel also fell back on old habits, scrambling and improvising the way he did in college. He had most of his success running out of the pocket and throwing on the run, just as he did as a Heisman Trophy victor at Texas A&M. But he and the Browns weren’t almost good enough to come away with a win, and the second half gave him flashbacks to his disastrous first start last season against Cincinnati – a 30-0 loss in which Manziel was held to 80 yards.
He fumbled four times earlier this season in three quarters against the New York Jets and four quarters against the Tennessee Titans. “We had momentum coming into the second half”. We didn’t get a first down, and instead had fourth-and-inches. “It is an area of his game we want to develop and have it being complemented by his ability outside the pocket”. Based on recent play, the Cleveland Browns are likely underdogs headed into the contest.
“I think it was just inconsistent”, Pettine said of Manziel’s play. “I can’t control how many balls I get thrown or anything like that, but I can put myself in the best position”. I already met with the coordinators this morning.
“He’s so good and has such a great feel for getting open, so I mean I’m happy for him. When Flip (offensive coordinator John DeFilippo) and I get together that will be one of them”.
And as history suggests, the Bengals’ second-half of the season could bring in a few more losses and perhaps deny Marvin Lewis’ squad home-field advantage in the postseason.
He’s way ahead of where he was when he started against the Bengals last season.
Manziel and the Cleveland offense wouldn’t give in. Jeremy Hill led in rushing with 60 yards in 15 attempts. The Browns had no rhythm because they couldn’t run successfully. He should be the one they turn to in these situations.
The high-scoring effort started with tight end Tyler Eifert.
Isaiah Crowell, who played at Alabama State, had 38 yards on 10 carries and caught three passes for 26 yards for Cleveland.
Andy Dalton, the Bengals quarterback, on the other hand, was consistent, and efficient.
But he delivered a steady performance Thursday night, going 21 of 27 for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He finished the game with a QB ranking of 71.8.
“That’s my quarterback out there ready to block”, said Sanu. Coverage teams were excellent. Adam Jones’ only kick return netted just 13 yards and Brandon Tate had four yards on two punt returns.
Pettine is coaching for his job as much as he is for the Browns’ future.
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The Bengals scored on three straight possessions in the second half to assert their complete dominance of the division. Bowe, who has yet to catch his first pass with the Browns, has been a huge disappointment after signing a two-year contract with $9 million guaranteed. Johnny Manziel drove the Browns 73 yards for a field goal to draw closer to the Bengals.
