Well.....they are 1-0

Opening notes:

Bengals 17 Browns 16

The Bengals are 1-0. Somehow. Hey, it beats the alternative.

DJ Turner’s first career interception sealed the deal with 90-seconds left at the Browns 47-yard line…..and the Bengals survived.

Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt missed a 36-yard FG with 2:22 left in the game, after missing an earlier PAT.

Time of possession: Bengals 24:11, Browns 35:49

Plays: Bengals 49, Browns 71

Total yards: Bengals 141, Browns 327

1st downs: Bengals 11, Browns 22

Turnovers forced: Bengals 2, Browns 0

———

How it unfolded:

The Bengals led 7-0 after the game’s opening drive, and 14-10 at the half.

Trailing 16-14 in the 3rd, Jordan Battle’s interception of Joe Flacco was converted to an Evan McPherson 35-yard go-ahead FG with 2:48 left in the quarter.

Offense:

TD on two of the first three possessions.

Opening drive TD: 12 plays/68 yards/7:28. Brown 5-yard TD run.

First 3rd & 1: Brown up gut for 1st down

4th QT: Leading 17-16 in 4th, Burrow was sacked three straight snaps around the 8:00 mark, twice by Myles Garrett.

4th QT: Bengals failed on 3rd & 1 (Chase Brown run) at the 2:00 minute mark from their own 35 and were forced to punt.

Burned two timeouts with confusion.

Burrow: 14-23-113, 1 TD, 3 sacks

Under center/play-action TD Fant

Ja’Marr Chase: 2-26…Tee Higgins: 3-33

End half: ran two plays starting own 26 w/ :18 left.

Chase Brown: 21-43 rushing, 2-8 receiving. 8 touches/12 play opening drive.

Noah Fant: 4-26. Catch 1st play game. 1-yd TD w/ 7 OL before half. 1 TD last year/previous 33 games.

3rd down: 7-14

2nd half:

3rd QT: 3 & out 1st drive, after Browns 7:40 TD drive.

4th QT 7 plays, 17 yards, FG

4th QT: 3 & out, 1 yard

Defense

Two turnovers, two sacks

Turnovers:

Jordan Battle INT after Browns TD, Bengals 3 and out late 3rd…led to McPherson go-ahead FG.

Turner INT 1:20 left.

1st drive TD: 16-67 yds/9:50. 4 penalties (3-3rd D): CBT, Burks, Turner, Hendrickson.

4th QT: 3rd & 7. Allowed 13-yard completion to Bengals 26 with 6:15 to go.

Pressure: BJ Hill sack forced FG attempt that missed w/ 2:30 left.

Trey sack/drew 3rd D hold in 4th.

Shemar Stewart: Tip pass + early bat down wiped by penalty.

Demetrius Knight all over: 8 tackles/PBU 1st H…10 total.

Logan Wilson: 2 PBU 1st H. Blue tent 3rd. Returned late in the quarter.

Barrett Carter entered for shaken Wilson in 3rd. Played w/ 2 rookie LB couple drives.

3rd QT go-ahead TD drive (7:40): 4 for 4 3rd D. Allowed 3rd & 3 run of 4-yards from Bengals 9. TD pass next play. PAT miss. 16-14 Browns.

Special Teams

Evan McPherson: 35 yard FG

Ryan Rehkow: 2 TB, including from CLEV 42/4th & 7.

49-yarder to Browns 1 w/ :19 left. PJ Jules downed the final punt.

Charlie Jones: 23 yd PR.

——

Injuries:

The Bengals lost Lucas Patrick for the game after a calf injury early in the 2nd quarter. Logan Wilson missed a couple of 3rd quarter series, before returning after passing concussion protocol. Geno Stone departed with injury late 3rd QT, replaced by Tycen Anderson