Battle of O H I 0-4

When the Browns and the Bengals get together, you can throw the records out the window. And this year, both teams would love nothing more than to forget about their 0-3 starts.

It's the Battle of Ohio and we're used to this game being one in which the loser stays in the basement of the AFC North.

This year, it's also the battle to see who can get their first win and not start the season 0-4.

Last year, the series with the Bengals was bittersweet.

The first game was a high-flying shootout at Cleveland Browns Stadium -- Derek Anderson's first game as a starter -- in which the two teams combined for 12 touchdowns and the Browns won, 51-45. It was, we thought, the beginning of the turnaround in Cleveland.

The second meeting, however, was a different story. At Paul Browns Stadium -- the sight of today's game -- Derek Anderson three four interceptions and the Browns lost, 19-14, and were essentially eliminated from the playoffs.

Three Things I'm Looking Forward to in Today's Game:

1. Changes -- After the loss to Baltimore, we were promised changes. Every position was up for evaluation, or so Romeo said. Sure, DA is still the starter, but Romeo says Brady will be ready. Yes, I believe it is a mistake to put that pressure on DA. Either name Brady the starter, or show some confidence in DA. In any case, I'm anxious to see what, if any, changes there are today.
2. Jerome Harrison -- Last week's lone Browns TD was scored on a 19-yard pass to Harrison. Then, we never saw him again in the game. Why? As thin as we are at receiver, I think we'll see more of Harrison coming out of the backfield to catch passes.
3. Jamal Lewis -- The Bengals run defense isn't the greatest. If the Browns offense is going to get back on track, they'll need to hand the ball off more to Lewis than they have so far this season. If Lewis is going to get back on track, perhaps a porous Bengals defense is just what he needs.
   

Three Things I'm NOT Looking Forward to in Today's Game:

1. Resurgent Bengals -- They may be 0-3, but they looked pretty good against the defending Super Bowl champion Giants last week losing by a field goal in overtime. I hope that wasn't the beginning of the Bengals resurgence.
2. Bengals in Hi-Def -- With perhaps the ugliest uniforms in all of professional sports, the Bengals could possibly ruin my new HDTV with their bright, construction worker-orange jerseys.
3. Praise of DA -- If Anderson plays just decently, or if the Browns play just a little bit better, I'm sure the announcers will go over-board with DA compliments. He needs to be held to the same scrutiny as he has all season. Even if the Browns win with a mediocre DA, the media needs to keep off the DA blinders.
   

Today, the season is on the line -- for both teams. I'm hoping, of course, that the Browns can turn it around and use a win against Cincinnati as catalyst to turn this abysmal season around.
Pete's Prediction: Browns, 28-17.