Drew Brees-Sean Payton reunion spurring New Orleans Saints revival
The Browns and Bengals play in Cincinnati Sunday afternoon. Their last three meetings: Cleveland 2, Cincinnati 1. Combined score in last three meetings: Cleveland 78, Cincinnati 64. That’s 12 quarters, people, not two. The Bengals have been favored two games in a row in this series and lost by 11 and 10. The key here will be Cincinnati getting Gio Bernard in space, because he’s quick enough to evade any good defense.
Detroit Lions' defense the key to capturing NFC North crown
Expect Bengals receiver A.J. Green to be on a mission against Browns cornerback Joe Haden on Sunday. Haden shutdown Green (five catches for 42 yards) in the first matchup. Haden can enhance his bid for an All-Pro spot with a repeat performance. Green has to hope that quarterback Andy Dalton can perform against one of the most creative blitzing teams in the league.
The weekly NFL spread picks: Can anyone slow down New Orleans at home?
The Bengals know that if they're ever going to win the AFC North, this is the game. If the Browns win they're just a half-game back and own the tiebreaker. Cincinnati understands the situation.
NFL Week 11 preview: Denver Broncos- Kansas City Chiefs, more
Believe it or not, this is a massively important game in the AFC North. Back-to-back OT losses (and Geno Atkins’ season-ending injury) have brought the Bengals back to the pack. For the Browns to close the gap further, they’ll need QB Jason Campbell to repeat his three-TD showing from Week 9 vs. Baltimore. Cleveland’s D dominated an early meeting between these teams, a 17-6 Browns win.
Bengals' A.J. Green expecting 'better outcome' vs. Browns' Joe Haden
A.J. Green was so bothered by his play at Cleveland seven Sundays ago that instead of cycling through the coaches' film like he normally...
Joe Haden's respect for A.J. Green genuine
The best thing about the rivalry that’s developing between Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden and Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green? Both are in their NFL infancy, so this matchup will be something to watch for many years.
Green wants to keep his cool against Haden
When it comes to matchups between receivers and cornerbacks throughout the league, the twice-a-year meetings between A.J. Green and Joe Haden have quickly become among the best.
Notes: Gannon on Dalton; Bengals wary of Campbell's experience; Zeitler out; Harrison questionable
Sunday could be the first missed game of Kevin Zeitler's career.
QB Campbell landed in Cleveland because of Bengals' trade
Jason Campbell may wear No. 17 on his jersey for the Cleveland Browns, but the more significant numbers may be 20 and 3.
Bengals' Nugent, Huber prepared for bad weather
Both Southwest Ohio kickers landed on Southwest Ohio's professional football franchise. Their arrival isn't for fan recognition or a geographic coincidence. They come by design.
Rey Maualuga progressing, Kevin Zeitler out
When the Cincinnati Bengals return from their bye next week, expect them to get back to some semblance of normalcy on the injury front.
Retool and Replace
Forget the Bend-But-Don't Break Defense. Try Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's Retool and Replace Defense.
Fantasy Insider: Week 11
Now that we are in Week 11 of the NFL season, the final push for the fantasy playoffs is officially underway.
It's Seize The Moment Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium
Instead of the other labels, Sunday's Browns-Bengals game should be called the Change of Circumstances Bowl
Battle of Ohio regaining importance
A Battle of Ohio game hasn't had this much importance since... well, in a very long time.
Week 11 Game Rankings: After bye blues, menu gets much tastier
The Bengals might not be headed for a freefall. They might have succumbed to a little two-week swoon but realize they still have the talent to win the division. Then again, the bottom might be falling out. They have allowed every other club in the AFC North to hang around, the offense is stilted again and failing on third down. Marvin Lewis feels like he has a mandate to go for it on fourth down all over the field. And now one of those teams that has been hanging around is the Browns, who at 2-1 have the best record in the division and who beat the Bengals in September and knocked off the Ravens in Week 9, before their bye. Don't look now, but if Cleveland wins here the Browns would only be a half-game out of the division lead, with a bunch of tiebreakers in hand. Big game.
As John Fox, Gary Kubiak have shown coaching can be dangerous
When Denver Broncos coach John Fox suffered pains symptomatic of a heart attack during a round of golf recently, the only surprise was that Fox found his way to a golf course. It is autumn, after all, and even on an off week, there is film to be studied.
Eight in the Box: This season's worst NFL offensive lines
Each Friday, Eight in the Box will highlight a list of eight players, teams or moments and their impact on the 2013 season. When teams slump on offense, it's easy to pin blame on the quarterbacks and running backs. Usually, that rush to judgement fails to tell the whole story.
Hope on the high plains: Welcome to Wyoming, where one of Division I football's smallest and most passionate fan bases is braving the weather and waiting for a winner
At 7,000 feet, one of Division I football's smallest and most passionate fan bases is braving the weather and waiting for a winner.
Bill Simmons's mailbag and Week 11 in the NFL - Grantland
I mean, OF COURSE Trent Richardson's sex tape was going to be an orgy! Nobody has more experience having three people on top of him at all times. Do you think the tape starts with Trent seeing a pile of naked people, running into it and falling down? Did they have to stop filming because Trent couldn't find any holes? Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week.
Walk-on Maryland football player survived Afghanistan
Rick Reilly profiles Tehuti Miles, a walk-on Maryland football player who served in the military.
About a man's game
The advent of a new test for CTE means that a generation of NFL players might get some answers about their post-football suffering. They, and the rest of us, will have to figure out what to do with this new knowledge.
Staying grounded: Chiefs vs. Broncos will hinge on the running game
The winner of Sunday's mega matchup between Denver and Kansas City will be determined by which defense best neutralizes the opposition's running attack.
Biggest NFL games of Week 11 -- John Clayton's First and 10
John Clayton's First and 10: They both have sparkling records, but Kansas City and Denver are nothing alike. Plus, NFC gains, Josh McCown's moment and more.
Schefter's Blitz - The complexity of coaching searches
In light of the Dolphins saga, owners are re-evaluating which traits are most essential when it comes to hiring head coaches, writes Adam Schefter.
NFL Picks and Predictions for Week 11
Check out ESPN's expert picks and predictions for Week 11 NFL pro football games.