Bengals Bytes (9/30): Fair warning

TDBH: Essex Express rolls through San Diego as Bengals sack Johnny U six times
In the early days of the West Coast offense, long before Giovani Bernard and James Brooks, Essex “The Express,” Johnson becomes the Bengals’ first running back to catch 100 yards when his two touchdown grabs amass 116 yards during today’s 20-13 victory over the Chargers. But after the 5-9, 200-pounder chalks up his second straight 100-yard rushing game with 121 yards on 21 carries, they are comparing him to O.J. Simpson, the consensus choice as the NFL’s top back. Except for Bengals defensive tackle Mike Reid. “He’s the best. The very best,” Reid says. “Larry Brown can do nothing that Essex can’t do.

Top 50 Moments: Bengals and Browns Combine for 106 Points
On Nov. 28, 2004, the Bengals and Browns combined for 106 points in Cincinnati's 58-48 win at Paul Brown Stadium. It was the highest scoring game by both teams in an NFL game since the 1970 merger, as well as the second highest scoring game in league history. Rudi Johnson had the fifth 200-yard rushing game in club history, Chad Johnson had 117 yards receiving and Carson Palmer threw four TDs for the first time in his career.

Nickerson signed to Bengals practice squad
The Bengals signed rookie LB Hardy Nickerson to the practice squad after he cleared waivers.

50 years later, Bengals eye Cleveland again
Imagine if in the last two Super Bowls won by the Patriots that the Seahawks and the Falcons ran the ball when they should have. Imagine if owner Robert Kraft, crushed by such close losses, fired head coach Bill Belichick back in February despite his ground-breaking innovation and three Super Bowl titles from the previous decade.

Bengals at Browns Game Notes
The Cincinnati Bengals haven’t yet improved in the standings, but they are showing clear signs of progress on the field, and they look to turn the corner on Sunday in the 88th “Battle of Ohio” against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. It’s the first matchup this season between the AFC North rivals, and with both teams standing at 0-3, rarely in the lengthy series have the two squads needed a win as badly as they do this week.

Hue Jackson warns his players about Bengals' Vontaze Burfict but 'he's as fine a linebacker as I've been around'
Hue Jackson knows Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict as well as anyone and loves his game, but warned his players this week to watch out for a player many consider to be the dirtiest in the NFL. "Coach Jackson addressed that on Wednesday in the team meeting about some of the things that he likes to take part in and just warned the guys about being smart,'' said running game coordinator Kirby Wilson. "We don't want to get in a situation where we're responding second and being the one that gets caught and all of the sudden you're playing behind the chains again and defeating yourself.''

How to watch Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns on TV and online
The Cincinnati Bengals play their fourth game of the 2017 season on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland - with each team seeking its first win of the season.

Walkthru: Predicting Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Time for the trip to Cleveland. Unfortunately, this won’t be during December as it has the last few years when dropping into Great Lakes Brewery meant a night of the best two-hour wait for a table ever as you sip fresh Christmas Ales. This year, I’m checking out The Flats since they are now back in style. If you are from Cleveland or go there often, hit me up with suggestions.

Cincinnati Bengals defense on doorstep of dominance
Halftime is a mere 12 minutes now, and in those brief moments last Sunday, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and his MVP quarterback had to figure something out. The Packers had 78 yards of total offense – 60 of which came on their first possession – and Aaron Rodgers had been sacked five times and thrown the second pick-six of his career.

Should Andy Dalton get the blame for Bengals 0-3 start?
When it comes to placing blame, making a blanket statement is one of the easiest ways to get an answer. But, taking a deeper look is often the better option. Though it can lead to more division and oftentimes false positives, it’s a necessary evil for getting to the point. Andy Dalton has been sub-par–to say the least–in his early performances. But, is it fair to say he’s the main cause of the Bengals losing record? It’s tempting to say his erratic play is the problem. But, honestly, there’s enough blame to spread around.

This week in Cincinnati Bengals history: Oct. 1
The Cincinnati Bengals have played nine times on Oct. 1 and are 1-8 in those contests. Here is a look at each of those games

AFC North Bytes

Le’Veon Bell: “I haven’t been that special player yet”
After skipping the offseason program, and training camp, and the entire preseason, it was reasonable to expect a bit of a slow start for Le'Veon Bell. But his first three games have been slower than he anticipated.

Ravens rule out Brandon Williams
Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is still looking for his first big game of the 2017 season and his chances of getting it this weekend may be boosted by the absence of a member of the Ravens defense. The Ravens have ruled out defensive tackle Brandon Williams for the second straight week with a foot injury. Williams is one of the leaders of Baltimore’s run defense and the Jaguars ran all over them last week with Williams out of the lineup.

Random Bytes

Packers RB Ty Montgomery Could Still Play Against Cowboys, Despite Rib Injury
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Packers RB Ty Montgomery’s rib injury is not as bad as Green Bay thought and there’s a chance he could play in Week 5’s game against the Cowboys. Schefter adds that Montgomery and rookie Jamaal Williams both escaped serious injury, which means the Packers are not planning to bring in other running backs at this time. It appeared as though Montgomery could miss a few weeks after he fractured his ribs during the first play of Thursday night’s game, but it sounds like he could be back and ready to contributor much sooner than expected.

Odell Beckham Jr. Reportedly Fined for Dog Celebration After TD vs. Eagles
ESPN.com's Dan Graziano reported Friday that New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $12,154 by the NFL for his touchdown celebration in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

NBA memo reinforces rule that players, coaches must stand for national anthem
The NBA sent a memo late Friday to teams reinforcing its rule that players and coaches stand for the national anthem, and suggesting other ways in which they might address the recent protest movement sweeping across the NFL and other sports.