Bengals News (9/17): Battle of Ohio gets rejuvenated

Matchup Of The Game: Burrow, Baker To Display Their Own Swag
With the 2020s belonging to these two guys as two overall No. 1 picks pitted against each other in the same state twice a season, this neighborhood game of automatic quarterback could be the game's matchup every time the Bengals and Browns play for a while.

3 Things To Watch: The Bengals play their first road game of the 2020 season at Cleveland
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said after the Chargers game that his team made too many mistakes and left a bunch of big plays on the field. It was understandable to hear his frustration after the Bengals committed two turnovers and seven penalties. Despite all of that, the Bengals still had a chance to win or tie the game in the final seconds. Cutting down on those mistakes was a point of emphasis not only from Taylor, but the players as well.

Bengals President Mike Brown will not be with the team for the first time in 824 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic
On Wednesday he watched his beloved Bengals go through a brisk walkthrough in the stadium named after his father. Then he went for a brisk walk of his own around the field. Then as he walked into his corner office he kidded his secretary, Debbie LaRocco, that the bag of chips on her desk was all she got him for lunch.

Baker Mayfield vs. Joe Burrow, Part I - The fun returns to Battle of Ohio
A budding offensive coordinator at East Carolina at the time, Riley had just unsuccessfully tried convincing Baker Mayfield to transfer to East Carolina from Texas Tech. Mayfield had walked on at Oklahoma instead. But Riley saw a similar opportunity in this other overlooked quarterback.

Mike Brown to snap 824-game streak, miss 1st Bengals game
Cincinnati Bengals team president Mike Brown won’t be at his team’s game for the first time since 1991 this Thursday when they play on “Thursday Night Football” against the Cleveland Browns.

NFL Week 2: Browns key matchups and paths to victory over the Bengals
Both teams come off painful Week 1 losses, albeit in very different fashions. The Browns laid a giant egg in Kevin Stefanski’s debut as head coach, getting routed 38-6 in Baltimore by the Ravens. The Bengals fell at home to the Chargers, 16-13, thanks to a late penalty that wiped out a potential game-winning touchdown and a subsequent (badly) missed game-tying field goal attempt as time expired.

Browns vs. Bengals picks: Point spread, total, player props and trends for Thursday Night Football in Week 2
One week of NFL is in the books, and besides the lack of fans in almost every stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was basically professional football as we've come to know and love, with plenty of scoring, a few shocking upsets and everything else you get in Week 1. That includes a disappointing showing from a Browns team that has built some buzz under a new regime, as well as a highly-touted No. 1 overall pick at quarterback losing his first game.

Browns secondary could see something rare from Bengals: 3 Quick Pregame Thoughts
The Browns' secondary helped make Lamar Jackson the AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Sunday. It was a rough debut for a group that has dealt with numerous injuries since training camp began. Greedy Williams and Kevin Johnson are still out, but safety Ronnie Harrison, now with two weeks here under his belt, should see more than the two defensive snaps he got against the Ravens.

Browns RT Jack Conklin questionable for Bengals; LB Jacob Phillips ruled out
Browns right tackle Jack Conklin is questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Bengals with finger and ankle injuries, and rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Browns’ Jarvis Landry expected to play against Bengals
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry is expected to play against the Cincinnati Bengals, a source tells NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Landry was listed as questionable with a hip injury. He sat out Tuesday’s practice and was limited Wednesday as a precaution.

Around the league

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 2: Wide receivers
You have lineup questions. We have answers. At least we hope. Start 'Em & Sit 'Em has helped fantasy managers for years make those pressing lineup decisions. And you know what is a good decision? Starting Patrick Mahomes. But that's too obvious, so you won't see that here. Instead here are some of the most-pressing questions. And, if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings right here.

Peyton Manning leads 2021 HOF first-year nominees
Among the other first-year headliners are former Packers and Raiders standout defensive back Charles Woodson, a Super Bowl winner and nine-time Pro Bowler, and Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection. One of the most prolific sack artists of all-time, Jared Allen, one of the most valuable contributors to the Patriots dynasty, guard Logan Mankins, and the innovator of the "Peanut Punch," cornerback Charles Tillman, are also now eligible.

Matthew Stafford won't hesitate to target D'Andre Swift again despite drop
With 11 seconds left, and the Detroit Lions having squandered a 17-point fourth quarter lead trailing 27-23, Matthew Stafford took the snap from the Chicago Bears' 16-yard-line. Swift sprinted from his spot alongside the QB in the backfield and burned veteran linebacker Danny Trevathan, streaking to the end zone.