Cleveland, OH (My Sportsbook) - Leon Hall had three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, as the
Cincinnati Bengals edged the
Cleveland Browns, 14-0, in an AFC North defensive clash.
Cedric Benson had 38 carries for 171 yards while Chris Henry had a touchdown reception for the Bengals (3-11-1), who have won two straight and also avoided going winless on the road this season.
"I think this may have been one of my biggest games as a professional," said Benson. "It feels awesome. This was some smash-mouth football right there."
Ryan Fitzpatrick went 5-for-9 with 55 yards and a touchdown for Cincinnati, which last won a game on the road at Miami on the final week of last season.
Ken Dorsey was a horrid 10-for-17 with 68 yards and three picks while Jamal Lewis had 16 carries for 76 yards in the loss for the Browns (4-11), who have dropped five straight and went just 1-7 at home this season.
The Cleveland offense has now gone five games without an offensive touchdown. The last time the offense found the end zone was early in the fourth quarter against Buffalo on November 17.
"We go out there and prepare every week," said Cleveland wide receiver Braylon Edwards. "We expect to make plays and get it done and obviously we're not."
The teams combined for just 428 yards with Cincinnati getting 246, including 191 on the ground.
Cincinnati's defense gave the team the lead as Hall stepped in front of a Dorsey pass and took it into the end zone on a 50-yard interception score for a 7-0 advantage with 8:30 left in the first.
"With the conditions like they are, as a cornerback you know you can sit on some routes and take chances," said Hall.
The game featured several punts after the score, but the Bengals went on a successful scoring drive that spanned the first and second quarters.
Facing a 3rd-and-11 at his own 32, Fitzpatrick found James Johnson for 12 yards to move the chains. Johnson again converted a third down play later in the drive with a 12-yard run. Fitzpatrick then made it a 14-0 game when he found Henry for a 20-yard score with 8:02 left in the first half.
Shayne Graham attempted to give Cincinnati a bigger lead with a bit over a minute to play in the first half, but his 48-yard field goal attempt fell short and the score remained 14-0 going into the locker room.
The second half saw neither team put points on the board.
Cleveland had the ball at the Cincinnati 27 on the first touch of the second half, but Dorsey was picked off by Hall again to kill the scoring chance.
After holding the Bengals to just 14 yards, Cleveland got the ball across midfield again, but the drive stalled and Cleveland was forced to punt the ball away.
The Bengals were again held to a three-and-out, but Dorsey was picked off again by Hall on a deep pass.
The Cleveland defense kept Cincinnati from moving and got the ball back into the hands of the offense, but Bruce Gradkowski, who took over under center, was picked off by Brandon Johnson with a bit over three minutes to play to seal the win for the Bengals.
Game Notes
Cincinnati hosts Kansas City next Sunday...The Browns close out their campaign next Sunday at Pittsburgh...Hall came into the game with no interceptions on the season...Cincinnati now holds a 36-35 edge in the series...The Bengals had three sacks in the game.