The Browns controlled the game on the ground and intercepted
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton three times to join Pittsburgh at
the top of the AFC North.
Cleveland (6-3) has not been in first place this late in the season
since 1986 and took another step toward a first playoff berth since
2002 by knocking Cincinnati out of the lead.
"This is a new team, new Browns," said Cleveland cornerback Buster
Skrine, who hauled in two interceptions. "We hear it every week:
'the surprise Browns.' We're not a surprise anymore. We proved we're
a solid team."
The Browns got touchdowns from running backs Ben Tate, Isaiah
Crowell and Terrance West, who paced the attack with 94 rushing
yards.
Cleveland quarterback Brian Hoyer tossed for just 198 yards but made
key completions that set up points for the road team.
A Dalton interception led to Cleveland's opening score, a four-yard
run by Tate, and they built on the lead with 10 points in the second
quarter and a third-quarter score from West.
The Bengals (5-3-1), meanwhile, managed just 165 total yards on the
night.
It was a disastrous game for Dalton who completed just 10-of-33
passes for 86 yards in the cold and windy conditions.
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"I missed a couple early and could never get into a rhythm," Dalton
said. "We didn't start fast and that's on me."
Cincinnati played a second straight game without top running back
Giovani Bernard, out with injury. Rookie running back Jeremy Hill
was not as spectacular as he was in last week's spot start, and
managed 55 yards on the ground.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)
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