Browns vs. Bengals: Scouting CIN with our Q&A with Cincy Jungle

On Sunday, the Cleveland Browns tackle the Cincinnati Bengals. To assist preview a number of subjects from the Chiefs’ perspective, we reached out to Anthony Cosenza from Cincy Jungle and exchanged 5 questions with him.

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Chris: “In their last seven games, the Bengals are allowing an average of 31 points per game. I know their defense wasn’t exactly sharp to begin with, but has it gotten worse?”

Anthony: “Yes and no. The defense showed MAJOR issues against more quality opponents and quarterbacks in the stretch you mentioned, with guys like Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson and Justin Herbert all having big days. Some of the points allowed are misleading in a way, though, as there have been a few turnovers for scores on the Bengals’ offense, as well as “garbage time scores” late in contests.

Cincinnati’s has seemingly turned a little bit little bit of a nook the final couple of weeks, forcing extra turnovers and even some for scores. Geno Stone and Cam Taylor-Britt are taking part in higher of late and Lou Anarumo is lastly placing guys like Mike Hilton again into alignments the place they are often profitable. Nevertheless, with the two-game profitable streak they’re presently on, it’s been towards Cooper Rush and Will Levis/Mason Rudolph, so the uptick is likely to be extra idiot’s gold.”

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Chris: “Up through the last time these two teams met, Ja’Marr Chase was averaging 6 targets per game, and only had double digit targets once. In the last 7 games, Chase is averaging 13 targets per game (with a lot of productivity along the way). Were there any circumstances that led up to he and Joe Burrow connecting a lot more lately?”

Anthony: “Great question. Part of those ebbs and flows likely had to do with Tee Higgins in and out of the lineup with injuries. The other is just the trust that Burrow has in Chase and how these two are on a historic pace this season. The team clearly doesn’t trust rookie third-round pick, Jermaine Burton, at all, Andrei Iosivas has had nice moments, but remains inconsistent and Higgins is great, but has had injury issues.”

Chris: “Are there any injuries differences from the previous Browns vs. Bengals game compared to this week?”

Anthony: “One difference is that running back Chase Brown is seemingly finding a nice groove as the go-to back and an all-around weapon. Another, as I mentioned earlier, is the Bengals’ defense becoming more of a big play (and still allowing a bunch of them, too) unit, which is helping to pull their weight at least a little bit. Cincinnati’s offensive and defensive lines are more banged up this time around, though, which is definitely worrisome.”

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Chris: “Do you believe the Bengals have a realistic shot at making the postseason?”

Anthony: “They want a variety of assist, however, extra importantly, they should handle their very own enterprise. Zac Taylor has by no means had a simple time with the Browns, whatever the quarterback, Denver is scrappy (their subsequent opponent), after which who is aware of if Pittsburgh will probably be taking part in a bunch of starters within the last week with the playoffs/division seemingly wrapped up?

Nevertheless, that is the time of 12 months Burrow and Co. normally flip issues on and play their greatest ball. No. 9 is already having his greatest statistical 12 months ever (and one by a Bengals quarterback), in order that they’ve obtained that and Chase’s personal historic season going for them. In the event that they do make it in, their protection will probably be the factor stopping them from making a run, however I do know groups like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Buffalo and Kansas Metropolis wouldn’t like going through this offense. Though Cincinnati misplaced to a few of these groups this common season, they’d a hell of a time getting these wins.”

Chris: “The Browns are early underdogs against the Bengals on Sunday (Browns +7 as of this question, per FanDuel Sportsbook). Who would you pick against the spread?”

Anthony: “This one is hard for me to predict because of the wild cards that are the Bengals’ defense and the Browns’ changes on offense. Cincinnati covered the spread on the road last week in Tennessee, so I guess I’ll very reluctantly say they’ll do it again at home this week, but divisional games and ‘The Battle of Ohio’ makes me very uneasy going that route.”

Thanks once more to Anthony for taking the time to reply my questions.