Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Cincinnati 7 at Cleveland 20 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengal receivers proved once again that there is not a big-play man among them. Chad Johnson was quarterback Gus Frerotte's only downfield target. Frerotte missed him on both attempts deep, but found him in the end zone for 22 yards and Cincinnati's only score. The receivers did not look to move the ball upfield after the catch and openly showed their frustration with Frerotte. Frerotte threw 12 of his 26 completions after the Browns took a 20-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the game and Cleveland loosened their secondary. Threw a terrible left-handed interception that caused a 10 to 14 point swing right before the half. The last of his three interceptions was a Hail Mary at the end of the game. Corey Dillon got his 100 yards on the ground, but the lack of a Bengal passing game would allow a better defense to shut him down, witness the Chargers in week one. Cleveland Browns: Kelly Holcomb showed again that he can start in this league. He spread the ball well including four completions to three different tight ends. He read blitzes and played smart. However, most of his 13 incomplete passes were due to poor throws. No Brown had more than four receptions. Cleveland had a hard time getting their running game on track with rookie William Green and Jamel White. The Browns longest run from scrimmage was ten yards against a defense that gave up 241 rushing yards against San Diego. The Browns' revamped offensive line was missing two starters (center Dave Wohlabaugh and right tackle Ryan Tucker) due to injury. Shaun O'Hara and Roger Chanoine were their replacements, respectively. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Cincinnati Bengals QB: Gus Frerotte - No downfield threats with only 9.2 yards per completion. Only threw deep three times - twice to Chad Johnson and once to Ron Dugans. Incomplete on all three with two overthrown and one Johnson dropped that was under thrown. Frerotte threw 12 of his 26 completions after the Browns took a 20-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the game and Cleveland loosened their secondary. Threw a terrible left-handed interception that caused a 10 to 14 point swing right before the half. The last of his three interceptions was a Hail Mary at the end of the game. Backup Jon Kitna came in for only one play after Frerotte took a shot from Kenard Lang. RB: Corey Dillon - Gained most of his 108 yards rushing through individual effort, breaking tackles. Blocking was virtually non-existent for most of the game again this week. Got most of his eight catches in the fourth quarter when the Browns' secondary started playing deep to protect the lead. Was dehydrated and left for an IV at the two-minute warning of the first half. He returned after halftime. Rudi Johnson - Backed up Dillon in place of injured Brandon Bennett. Filled the role well with three catches after dropping his first two in the open field. WR: Michael Westbrook - Dominated physically by Brown cornerback Anthony Henry. Can't seem to position himself to come up with the ball in traffic. Bobbled a pass on the sideline and a one off a deflection by Henry for incompletions. The bobbles could be a result of his broken wrist. Peter Warrick - Only catch was for three yards. Although it was in a two-minute drill, he ran straight for the sideline with an open field in front of him. Threw a tantrum when Frerotte missed him with no one within 15 yards. Ran a reverse for 11 yards. Chad Johnson - Only deep threat and caught Bengals' only score. Overthrown on attempt to the end zone from the 45 after he broke off his route. Dropped a 55-yard attempt when Frerotte under threw him. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Did not play in the first half with an injured groin. Returned punts in the second half and rode stationary bike between possessions. Became Frerotte's primary target in the fourth quarter. Dinged for an unsportsmanlike penalty for removing his helmet. Danny Farmer - Out with knee injury. TE: Frerotte has not thrown a pass to a tight end this season. In fact, rookie tackle Levi Jones is playing backup to Sean Brewer. Bengals Pass Defense: Gave a lot of cushion to Brown receivers, especially in red zone. Adrian Ross started at outside linebacker in place of injured Steve Foley and Canute Curtis. Browns only threw ten times in the second half, with the game in hand. Bengals Rush Defense: Much improved, holding Cleveland to 75 yards rushing. However, overall, teams are able to play their strengths against Cincinnati and take advantage of a vulnerable Bengal defense. Bengals Special Teams: With Houshmandzadeh nursing his injury, the Bengal returns are an adventure. Kevin Kaesviharn fumbled a punt, prompting the insertion of Houshmandzadeh. (and yes, that's a tough sentence to type�) The fumble was replayed because of penalty. Houshmandzadeh was tentative on his groin injury. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Cleveland Browns QB: Kelly Holcomb - Spread the ball well. He read blitzes and played smart. However, most of his 13 incomplete passes were due to poor throws. Trapped interception by cornerback Jeff Burris was ruled incomplete. Did a good job checking his receivers and finding the tight ends. Overthrew corner and go routes. RB: William Green - Started but ran tentatively in the first quarter. Was only used on play action and as a decoy in the second quarter. Improved in the second half by hitting the holes quickly, even with Cincinnati expecting the run. Jamel White - Took most of the work in the second quarter and on third down. Provides more versatility than Green. Showed nice stop-and-go moves in the open field. WR: Quincy Morgan - Caught the first reception of each of the halves. Only thrown one other pass in the game. Holcomb went deep to him in the fourth quarter but threw it off the wrong (inside) shoulder. Kevin Johnson - Showed questionable field presence when he did not get his feet in bounds on a 20-yard pass. Starting receivers did not see the ball often as Holcomb checked to secondary receivers. Andre' Davis - The rookie made nice adjustments to the ball and found the seams in the defense. TE: Mark Campbell - Coming off an injury from last year, he got quite a few looks from Holcomb. Was open and overthrown on a medium pass down the sidelines. Browns Pass Defense: Corners showed great coverage while keying Dillon on the run. Front line put the pressure on Frerotte, sacking him three times. Browns Rush Defense: Allowed Dillon 108 yards. Defensive end Courtney Brown was out with a neck injury. Mark Word was solid in his place. Browns Special Teams: Phil Dawson nailed his 52- and 45-yard field goals. He was also strong on a 40-yarder that was nullified by penalty. He has now hit 21 consecutive field goals. The 52-yarder was the longest of his career.