Bengals @ Browns
Final Score: Browns 21, Bengals 16
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
The regular season has now come to a close. With fantasy football wrapping up (hopefully you’re shining a trophy as you read this,) it’s time to enjoy some playoff football after week 18 wraps up. Both teams rested starters for different reasons, so a lot a unfamiliar faces were on the field today. Even though this was a game without any playoff implications, we were able to witness a Bengals rookie record being set as well as a sweep within the division. The Browns took this one home to end the season on a high note while the Bengals prepare for the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Brandon Allen: 15/29, 136, TD, 4 Sacks | 1 rush, 3 yards
With Joe Burrow resting for the playoffs, Brandon Allen got the start for the Bengals. Allen is more of a game manager right now, and his stat line showed just that. He took care of the ball all game, at the cost of not being very threatening to the defense. The Browns’ defensive line was all over Allen. If the Bengals want to succeed in the playoffs, they need to work on keeping the QB clean. Although he wasn’t the most accurate, you don’t have to have a precise arm to complete easy plays like this:
.@BrandonAllen_10 TO @Kidnplay_abc123 FOR 6️⃣
Watch on FOX pic.twitter.com/hR2Nq6Wgj3
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 9, 2022
Running Back
Trayveon Williams: 9 carries, 38 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards
Chris Evans: 7 carries, 35 yards | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 24 yards, TD
Another player resting for the playoffs in Joe Mixon opened the door for meaningful snaps for Trayveon Williams. He wasn’t the most efficient with his snaps, but Williams showed promise as a depth piece on this roster. Chris Evans, on the other hand, proved he is ready to make an impact, as he was efficient with his touches on the ground as well as secured a score through the air. Evans looks like he could be a weapon in this young, talented offense.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Trent Taylor: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 41 yards
Ja’Marr Chase: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards
Mitchell Wilcox: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 16 yards
Trenton Irwin: 4 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards
Drew Sample: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Stanley Morgan: 2 targets, 1 reception, 8 yards
Mike Thomas: 3 targets
Ja’Marr Chase has broken the rookie receiving record the Bengals, with a congratulatory tweet coming from its previous holder, Chad Johnson. Chase only played long enough to set the record before finding himself on the bench alongside his other offensive starters. Several other players were able to get some regular season snaps under their belt, although none of them were able to make much of a splash with their targets.
@Real10jayy__ Congrats young boul 💯
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 9, 2022
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Case Keenum: 17/24, 176 yards, 2 TD, INT, Sack, Fumble Lost| 5 carries, 15 yards
With the playoffs out the reach, the Browns shut down Baker Mayfield to repair his damaged shoulder. Case Keenum, another game manager, filled in nicely in the Browns victory while leaning on the run game. Case is another QB who will take care of the ball while minimizing the risks taken downfield. Although he did turn the ball over twice, Keenum was able to put points on the board with touchdowns thrown to Jarvis Landry and Demetric Felton.
2️⃣5️⃣ punching it in for 6!
📺: #CINvsCLE on FOX
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/BigDdmkxtr— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 9, 2022
Running Back
D’Ernest Johnson: 25 carries, 123 yards, TD | 1 target, 10 yards
Nick Chubb: 9 carries, 58 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
Demetric Felton: 1 carry, 6 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards, TD
D’Ernest Johnson might have played his way into a big contract this offseason, especially ending the season this way. The Browns featured Johnson on offense and he rewarded the coaching staff with over 130 yards and a score. Much like Chris Evans on the Bengals, Johnson proved he can be a weapon. Nick Chubb did his usual damage on the ground, punishing would-be tacklers. Demetric Felton did most of his damage through the air, like he has most of the season, and is another player the Browns will look to utilize next season, possibly as a receiver.
The @NickChubb21 train is full steam ahead. 🚂
📺: #CINvsCLE on FOX
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/tm2l07YgcL— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 9, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jarvis Landry: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 75 yards, TD
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards
Anthony Schwartz: 3 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards | 1 carry, 3 yards
David Njoku: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Harrison Bryant: 3 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards
Donovan Peoples-Jones is the future of the receiving group in Cleveland, but definitely needs more time to develop before he can be relied on. The rest of this group is the same case – a ton of potential, but needs more polish before they are truly a difference maker in any offense. One player I was happy to see back in action was Jarvis Landry, who has been battling injuries all season. Landry brought in a crossing route and displayed some fancy footwork on this 26-yard strike on a crucial third down. This was something missing from the Browns offense this season – hopefully it’s back next year.
Jarvis bringing some juice to the offense.
📺: #CINvsCLE on FOX
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/l0DUSRjV41— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 9, 2022
See you next season! From the bottom of my heart, thank for reading. Stay in touch!
— Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)