The Bengals will travel to Cleveland looking to accomplish something they have yet to pull off during QB Joe Burrow's time in Cincinnati: defeat the Browns in at home.
Burrow has a 1-5 record against the Browns and said that his lack of success against the Browns is a motivating factor headed into Sunday's game.
"We haven't had success against this divisional opponent, so that's always frustrating and is something that we're always striving for," Burrow said on Wednesday. "So, we need to go get this one."
At 2-4, the Bengals are in a similar situation as the 1-5 Browns. Both teams are in need of a win on Sunday, particularly against a division opponent.
Going against the Cleveland defense is a tall task Burrow has grown familiar with over his five years in the NFL. In his six career games against the Browns, Burrow has averaged 259.5 passing yards, 1.7 touchdowns and 0.8 interceptions per game.
A big part of Cleveland's success against Burrow and the Bengals has been the play of DE Myles Garrett. Garrett has at least one sack in each of his last seven games against the Bengals dating back to 2020. Since Week 2 of the 2020 season, Garrett has 10 sacks in seven matchups against the Bengals.
"I mean, he takes a lot of time and attention. And he deserves it, he's a tremendous player. So again, he's certainly a big focus this week," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said of Garrett. "They've got a lot of great players. You focus on the defensive side of the ball, they've got Pro Bowl players at all positions, All-Pro players at all positions. Just collectively, it's a really tough group, they're really fast. And certainly, 95, he grabs your attention. From the first snap you watch till the final one over the years, he's always been a problem, so he's a great player."
Check out photos of the Browns against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) and Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Ephraim Banda during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) and Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The Running back Jerome Ford (34) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
WR Ja'Marr Chase also referenced Garrett and the Browns pass rush when asked about the challenges of facing the Cleveland defense. Chase has only topped 100 receiving yards once in his five games against the Browns. He had high praise for Browns CB Denzel Ward, who he will see a lot of on Sunday.
"He's one of the best cornerbacks in the game, everybody knows it," Chase said on Thursday. "I just love the matchup because he always keeps me at my best and he always brings his A game. He has some of the best feet from any DB that I've faced. He's just a smooth person that plays DB."
Ward has been targeted 28 times this season, allowing 13 completions and a passer rating of 75.6, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
In order to negate the Browns' strong pass rush and trusty secondary, Burrow said that the Bengals would need to score quickly to force the Browns to play from behind. The Browns have been behind or tied at halftime of each of their five losses this season.
"We know what they like to do offensively. We know what they like to do defensively. They like to run the ball, and they like to rush the passer," Burrow said. "So, if we can get out on them early, it kind of makes them play the game a different way than they have against us the last several years. "
