Unfortunately, With Browns resting starters for the playoffs, motivated…

Cincinnati (AP) The Browns could focus on getting ready for their first postseason game in three years after suffering a largely meaningless loss to the Bengals.

In Cleveland’s 31-14 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday, head coach Kevin Stefanski rested the majority of his players. Next Sunday, the Browns will take on Houston, the AFC South champion, in the wild-card round.

Cleveland (11-6), guaranteed the No. 5 seed in the AFC, was happy to use reserves during the regular season in preparation for its 21st postseason trip.

Defense end Ogbo Okoronkwo of the Browns remarked, “This is what you work for.” “You fantasize about days like these. Putting ourselves in a position to win the big one feels wonderful.”

The Browns’ starting lineup on Sunday included quarterback Joe Flacco, standout defensive end Myles Garrett, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and cornerback Denzel Ward.

Stefanski stated, “When you look at these games, it’s about what’s best for your football team.” “I was aware that this was a fantastic chance for the young players to gain some experience.”

On Sunday, January 7, 2024, in Cincinnati, during the first half of an NFL football game, running back Joe Mixon (28), of the Cincinnati Bengals, sprints against the Cleveland Browns. (Photo by Jeff Dean/AP)

The Bengalis had a higher drive.

In addition to setting a few career records, Joe Mixon ran for a season-high 111 yards and a touchdown, while Jake Browning completed three touchdown passes.

At halftime, the Bengals were ahead 24-0. After joining the Browns on December 29, Jeff Driskel was a member of Arizona’s practice squad. He struggled against Cincinnati’s main defense until the fourth quarter, when he found David Bell for two touchdown passes.

The Bengals’ season wasn’t easy. Joe Burrow, the franchise quarterback, didn’t start the season at full health and sustained a wrist injury in the tenth game that ended his career. Time was lost by other important players.

Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor stated, “I think our guys handled it properly and finished it the correct way.”

Cincinnati (9-8) achieved a finish above 500 for the third consecutive year, making the AFC North the first division to have every team finish above 500 since the merger in 1970. The Bengals avoided losing to rival teams in their division.

We do not find it appropriate to go 0–5 (in the division),” Taylor declared.

With his 49th career touchdown and ninth of the season, Mixon’s 1-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter moved him up to No. 2 on the Bengals’ all-time list, behind Pete Johnson’s 64. In addition, Mixon amassed 1,034 yards of rushing in the end, marking his fourth season in seven that he has done so.

As the Bengals’ starting quarterback, Browning went 4-3 in the end. Against Cleveland, he passed for 156 yards until AJ McCarron took over after three quarters.Two touchdown throws were caught by Andrei Iosivas.

With 166 yards passing, including 111 in the fourth quarter, Driskel also had two interceptions.

Stefanski stated he wasn’t sure who would support Flacco in the game against the Texans.

PERSONAL HARM

DT Shelby Harris of the Browns sustained a shin injury in the second quarter and did not play again. Harris “will be OK,” according to Stefanski. In the second half, LB Mohamoud Diabate exited due to a thumb injury. RB Pierre Strong Jr. left the game due to a back ailment. A head injury was assessed for wide receiver Cedric Tillman.

YOU DO NOT MENTION

When the Browns and Bengals both finished above.500 in the same season, it hasn’t happened since 1988. That season, the Browns were eliminated in the wild-card round, and the Bengals advanced to the Super Bowl.

Almost

Trey Hendrickson, the defensive end for the Bengals, was given credit for a half-sack on Driskel, giving him 17 total tackles, two less than the Steelers’ T.J. Watt. in the league.

Next up

With Flacco, a former MVP of the Super Bowl, leading the Browns and having been signed off the street in November, the team wants to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Deshaun Watson, the quarterback, and star running back Nick Chubb were among the many serious injuries Cleveland endured this season. Despite this, the Browns had the best defense in the league, and quarterback Joe Flacco’s deep passing skills made their offense dangerous.