Last meeting
In Week 2, the Browns defeated the Bengals 51-45 in one of the wildest games of the season. QB Charlie Frye, the Week 1 starter, was traded to Seattle and Derek Anderson was promoted to starting quarterback. Anderson responded with five touchdown passes, including two each to Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius.
Streaks
The Bengals have won six of the past nine contests. The winner of Sunday's game will break a 34-34 deadlock in the overall series.
Last week
The Browns bested the Bills 8-0 in a blizzard to pull even with the Steelers atop the AFC North. Phil Dawson hit two field goals through a swirling wind, including a 49-yarder. Cincinnati fell to the 49ers 20-13 on Saturday night. The Bengals, who could not get into a rhythm offensively, are assured a losing season for the first time under coach Marvin Lewis.
At stake
The Browns now sit atop the AFC North with the Steelers, although Pittsburgh would win a head-to-head tiebreaker. The Browns are still in excellent shape to collect one of the wild-card spots if Pittsburgh doesn't falter. The Bengals are wrapping up a disappointing season and have already been eliminated from the playoffs, but don't underestimate the team's desire to avenge the early-season loss to their division rivals. Click here for the complete playoff picture.
Key matchup
Browns WR Braylon Edwards vs. Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The last time these two teams met they combined for 96 points, so don't expect many defensive stops. Both wideouts punched tickets to Hawaii this week but only Edwards has a shot at playing the week before. The Browns wideout has 13 touchdown receptions in 2007, a single-season franchise record he shares with Gary Collins. Houshmandzadeh, meanwhile, leads the league with 101 catches and has hauled in four TD receptions in the past three games vs. the Browns.
