For the Cleveland Browns to stop the Cincinnati Bengals -- really, for anyone to stop the Bengals -- wide receiver A.J. Green must be kept at bay.
That task on Sunday falls to cornerback Joe Haden, who's battled with the Pro Bowl pass-catcher three times in the past two seasons. Green's rung up 11 catches for 286 yards and three touchdowns in those games, but Haden believes Sunday will be different.
"It's not like we're scared," Haden said Thursday, per The Plain Dealer. "They have to plan for us, too. It's not all about what they're doing, it's about what we're gonna do to them. We have to come out and be aggressive and put hits on people. He's really, really talented, but you've got T.J. (Ward) and (Tashaun) Gipson over the top, lurking, ready to come across the middle if he comes across the middle."
It's been one of the better corner-receiver duels in the AFC North. Green's earned his yardage, but Haden has graded out well in pass coverage during their three meetings, per Pro Football Focus.
"I'm not just gonna run along with him and try to let him jump over me," Haden said. "It's gonna be a really, good, intense matchup. It's not a scared thing at all. It's gonna be a battle. You gotta know sometimes they might get theirs, but you gotta be able to get yours a lot more."
The difference has been big plays. Green beat Haden on a 41-yard touchdown in his first NFL game in 2011. Last season, he torched Cleveland's defense for seven catches, 135 yards and two scores in Week 6. One of those grabs was a 57-yard touchdown that put the game away on Haden's watch. The Browns haven't been able to slow the Andy Dalton-to-A.J. connection.
It's our matchup to watch when the Battle of Ohio gets underway Sunday.
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