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Burrow is 0-4 against Cleveland and the quarterback who defeated
Patrick Mahomes again last weekend will try to change that ugly
factoid when the Bengals host the Browns on Sunday.
"We haven't executed up to our ability, so we're gonna have to
execute the game plan to the best of our ability and move the
ball, put points on the board and keep their offense off the
field," Burrow said during Wednesday's press conference on how
to end the skid against Cleveland.
Overall, the Bengals (8-4) have lost five straight and eight of
the past nine to the Browns (5-7).
On Halloween, it was a one-sided win for host Cleveland. Jacoby
Brissett was 17-of-22 passing for 278 yards and one touchdown
and Nick Chubb rushed for 101 yards and two scores as the Browns
rolled to a 32-13 victory and outgained Cincinnati 440-229.
Burrow completed 25 of 35 passes for 232 yards and two
touchdowns. But he was sacked five times and also threw an
interception. He has been sacked just five times in Cincinnati's
four games since losing to the Browns.
The quarterback who guided the Bengals to last season's Super
Bowl before losing to the Los Angeles Rams will see a new face
this Sunday. It marks the first time he has matched up against
Deshaun Watson.
Watson will be making his second start for the Browns after
serving an 11-game suspension from the NFL due to alleged sexual
misconduct involving more than two dozen massage therapists.
He was just 12 of 22 for 131 yards with a career-low 53.4 passer
rating in last Sunday's 27-14 win over the Houston Texans.
Cleveland didn't score an offensive touchdown during an outing
in which Watson was clearly rusty.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said there is no way of knowing how
long it will take for Watson to find his form.
"I don't know if I can put a timeframe on it," Stefanski said
Wednesday. "He's working very hard. He's locked in on the game
plan, working hard out at practice. There were things that come
up in your first game back that you just have to correct."
Cleveland tight end David Njoku, who is hopeful of returning
from a one-game absence due to knee injury, is eager to see
Watson firsthand.
"He's progressing every day," said Njoku, who was limited in
practice on Wednesday. "That's all we really ask for him is to
progress every day. We're all excited for his progression."
The game against the Texans -- his former club -- was the first
in 700 days for Watson. The three-time Pro Bowler passed for an
NFL-high 4,823 yards with 33 touchdowns and just seven
interceptions in 2020, his final season with Houston.
Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader played three seasons
(2017-19) with Watson and hopes there isn't a quick turnaround.
"Hopefully a couple more weeks," Reader said of Watson hitting
his stride. "I'm always cheering for him. That's my brother. I
went through a lot of battles with that guy, I know where he
comes from, I know the cloth he's cut from, I just want to see
him do well, but we are going to get after him on Sunday."
The Bengals have won four straight games and eight of their past
10 games after an 0-2 start. The Browns have won their past two
games and are trying to make a late push for a playoff spot.
Cleveland placed linebacker Sione Takitaki (ACL) and receiver
Anthony Schwartz (concussion) on injured reserve on Wednesday.
Three active Browns missed Wednesday's practice due to injuries
-- cornerbacks Denzel Ward (ankle, illness) and A.J. Green
(knee) and offensive tackle James Hudson (illness).
Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (calf) has been deemed doubtful
to play by coach Zac Taylor. Hurst was injured during the 27-24
win over Kansas City. Running back Joe Mixon (concussion) was a
full participant after missing the past two games.
--Field Level Media
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