CLEVELAND -- A few thoughts on the Cincinnati Bengals' 30-0 victory over the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium:
What it means: When they found out they would have to prepare for rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel this week, the Bengals had no idea what to expect. They knew all about Manziel's exploits as a Heisman Trophy winner, but since he hadn't started an NFL game yet and only had 17 snaps of regular-season film, preparing for him was difficult. Would he still be apt to escape the pocket and run when he probably would be better served to pass? Would he be a good passer? Deep down, it didn't matter much to the Bengals, who completely overwhelmed the young quarterback. Manziel was sacked three times, threw two interceptions and compiled a 27.3 passer rating. Overall, the Bengals, still on the playoff bubble, had a truly physical win in their first road shutout since December 2008. The Bengals' last three road shutouts have all come in Cleveland.
Big boost from D: Clearly, Cincinnati's defense trended upward this week after giving up 25 points in a fourth-quarter collapse last week against Pittsburgh. In addition to stifling Manziel, the Bengals quieted the Browns' run. Cleveland finished with 107 total yards. They had 98 entering their one-play last drive.
Game ball: Five weeks after he said the Browns weren't very good following their 24-3 win against Cincinnati, Bengals rookie running back Jeremy Hill let his play do the emphatic talking Sunday. He ran 25 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns in the win. He set the tone early in the game, too, putting up two rushing scores before halftime. At the end of one of them, a Browns fan pushed Hill's helmet down when the back tried to leap into the stands where a couple of Bengals fans had lured him over. It was clearly a statement type of performance for Hill, who had just 55 yards in the teams' last meeting at the start of November. His fellow running back, Giovani Bernard, finished the game with 79 yards on 15 carries after being demoted earlier this week from the No. 1 back duties.
Kirkpatrick breaks out: Placed down on the Bengals' depth chart behind three 30-something former first-round picks, third-year cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has been itching for a chance to prove himself in the secondary. He has admitted in the past to being a little frustrated by his placement on the depth chart. On Sunday, he had plenty of chances to prove himself. Aside from a 32-yard pass he allowed to Josh Gordon, Kirkpatrick played well, intercepting a pass and deflecting another. On the first-half pickoff, he made a great read when Manziel rolled left and stared down that side of the field. After dropping off his receiver, Kirkpatrick changed direction and sprinted in front of him as Manziel threw his way. On the ensuing drive, the Bengals took a 10-0 lead on a 44-yard Mike Nugent field goal, one of three he had six days after his father died suddenly.
What's next? Cincinnati will get an extra day off this week as its push for the postseason continues. The Bengals welcome the Denver Broncos to Paul Brown Stadium next Monday night for their home finale on ESPN. It will be their first game against the defending AFC champions since 2012, when the Broncos won 31-23. Denver also has won the past four meetings, and is the winner of 12 of the last 15. With help in Week 17, a win against Denver could give the Bengals the AFC's No. 2 seed.
