The Cincinnati Bengals used a 17-point first half and held on for a 24-6 win over the Cleveland Browns. It keeps the Bengals life support connected for a Wild Card playoff spot.
The Bengals improved to 55-48 over its intrastate rival.
The Battle of Ohio started out with a long run by University of Cincinnati grad, Jerome Ford.
Ford took the hand off from quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson at the Cleveland 23 and carried the ball to the Cincinnati 11-yard line.
Cleveland established a first and goal on the Cincinnati one but D'Onta Foreman appeared to score the touchdown but the review showed that Vonn Bell forced and recovered a fumble on the one-yard line.
Joe Burrow led the Bengals 99 yards in eight plays over 4:58 to put the Bengals in the lead. Burrow completed passes to Ja'Marr Chase for seven and 14 yards. Chase Brown has a 21-yard run and a 22-yard run that set up Burrow's two-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins for the touchdown.
The Bengals forced a punt and drove to the Cleveland 28 but Cade York missed a 47-yard field goal attempt.
Burrow threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Andrei Iosivas mid-way in the second quarter to put the Bengals up 14-0.
York connected on a 59-yard field goal to end the half. It tied Evan McPherson for the Bengals' record for longest field goal. McPherson kicked a 59-yarder in 2022.
The Browns scored their first touchdown with 5:50 left in the third quarter. Ford ran it in from four yards out. Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point.
Cleveland appeared to score on a run by Thompson-Robinson but a pair of holding penalties moved the ball back to the Bengals eight but Jordan Battle intercepte in the end zone.
Geno Stone intercepted a pass by DJ Ivey at he Bengals 33 with 8:20 left in the game.
Burrow fumbled on first and 10 from the Cleveland 22. Isaih McGuire sacked Burrow and knocked the balla loose. Jiwon Briggs out of Walnut Hills High and the University of Cincinnati recoved the fumble.
Cleveland couldn't move the ball and turned it over on downs at their own 32 with 1:54 left in the game.
Burrow completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Chase to cap the scoring.
