The Cincinnati Bengals have shut out the Cleveland Browns in a comfortable 30-0 win over their AFC North rivals this evening.
After a lengthy opening drive, the Bengals opened the scoring in the first quarter when Jeremy Hill ran in from a yard out after AJ Green had hauled in a long catch to get the team downfield.
© Getty Images
Johnny Manziel, who was making his first NFL start this evening, tried to get the Browns off the mark, but could not get the home side into Cincinnati territory.
After Hill had increased the Bengals' lead with another touchdown, Manziel threw two interceptions while attempting to get Cleveland back into the game as the Browns were unable to score before the end of the first half.
The Bengals increased their lead shortly after the break when Mike Nugent kicked his third field goal of the game, leaving his side 23 points up.
Andy Dalton had a chance to put them even further ahead when he tried to find Mohamed Sanu, but his pass was intercepted to bring the Browns back onto the field.
Manziel took too long trying to spot an open receiver while continuing to look for a way to get off the mark, leaving Carlos Dunlap to sack the rookie for a loss of seven.
Cincinnati rubber-stamped the win late on when Rex Burkhead rushed for a touchdown inside the final 30 seconds to complete an emphatic victory for the Bengals.
The win leaves the Bengals at the top of the tight AFC North division with a 9-4-1 record, while the Browns sit at the bottom of the division on 7-7.
Sian Cowper
