Tonight at 8:25 p.m. ET the Cincinnati Bengals (5-2-1) will play an important divisional matchup against the surprising Cleveland Browns (5-3) on Thursday Night Football. Watch the game on the NFL Network or live stream it by clicking this link. Browns fans can listen to the radio broadcast on WNKR 850, while Bengals fans may do likewise on WLW 700.
The Browns are viewing this game as a litmus test for their legitimacy, according to left tackle Joe Thomas. "They're a good team, and one hallmark of good teams is that they win at home," Thomas said.
"If we want to win the AFC North, we're going to have to beat Cincinnati and this is our first opportunity. The stage is a little bit bigger because it's the Thursday night game. You're the only game on TV. This will be the best opponent we've played in a few games so it will certainly be a good measuring stick."
Cleveland safety Tashaun Gipson seems convinced enough about the team though. He leads the NFL with six interceptions, and believes the NFL is on notice about the rising Browns.
"(The NFL) definitely (knows) about the Cleveland Browns," Gipson said, who leads the league with six interceptions. "They take the Browns seriously. They have no choice. You don't win five games by mistake."
The Bengals have the league's worst run defense per FootballOutsiders.com, but the Browns are only one spot above them. IT may seem to be to Cleveland's advantage that Cincinnati has ruled out starting running back Giovani Bernard from playing tonight, but his replacement, Jeremy Hill, proved very capable last week.
Last week Hill rushed 24 times for 154 yards and a touchdown, and his teammates expressed no shock at those numbers. "We know he's that kind of player," receiver Mohamed Sanu said.
Browns Injury Report
Bengals Injury Report
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