Browns-Bengals scouting report

WHO: Cleveland Browns (1-9) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (7-3).

WHEN: 1 p.m., today.

WHERE: Paul Brown Stadium.

TV/RADIO: CBS (19, 27); WNCD-WKBN (93.3 AM).

SERIES: The Bengals increased their advantage to 37-35 with a 23-20 overtime win earlier this season.

COACHES: Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis, in his seventh season with the team, has a 53-52-1 record. Cleveland's Eric Mangini is 24-34 for his career.

ON THE GROUND: Cedric Benson has provided a huge spark for the Bengals with 859 yards and six touchdowns on 205 carries, but he's been sidelined with a bad hip. Bernard Scott has done a solid job as Benson's replacement, but Lewis will be glad when Benson returns.

The Browns have inched above the 100-yard mark in rushing per game and are at 101.4 yards. Jamal Lewis leads with 460 on 132 carries but has yet to reach the end zone. Mangini gave Chris Jennings more time in the last two games, which has meant less time for Jerome Harrison. Harrison, who was deactivated last week, rushed for 121 yards in the first game against the Bengals and might play today.

ADVANTAGE: Bengals.

IN THE AIR: Carson Palmer is having a good, not great, season at quarterback for the Bengals. He's completed 192-of-312 passes for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Chad Ochocinco leads in receptions with 50 for 735 yards and five touchdowns, quieting the belief that he's slowing down. Andre Caldwell is another good option for Palmer. Caldwell has 36 receptions for 330 yards.

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is coming off the best game of his career when he threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns against the Lions. Quinn seems comfortable in the no-huddle offense, which the Browns will probably run quite a bit today. Mohamed Massaquoi leads in catches with 25 for 473 yards and one touchdown. Mike Furrey is next with 22 for 161 yards. Brian Robiskie continues to be a mystery man. He has only one reception and wasn't active last week.

ADVANTAGE: Bengals.

HOLD THAT LINE: The big difference in the Bengals this season is the physical style they're bringing on run defense. Opponents are averaging 84.3 rushing yards a game, which is second lowest in the NFL. Linebacker Dhani Jones leads in tackles with 88. Linebacker Keith Rivers has been active in recording 67 stops. Rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga has been a big addition. He's third in tackles with 54.

The Browns are giving up 154.9 rushing yards a game, which, believe it or not, is an improvement. Rookie linebacker Kaluka Maiava has played well in being forced into duty because of injuries to D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton. End Robaire Smith has improved throughout the season in his comeback from an Achilles' tendon injury. Strong safety Abram Elam leads in tackles with 60.

ADVANTAGE: Bengals.

STOP THAT PASS: The Bengals have two of the better cornerbacks in the NFL in Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall. Former Browns safety Chris Crocker has found a home in Cincinnati. Strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe has provided muscle in the secondary. The defense suffered a big blow when Antwan Odom, who had eight sacks, went down with a season-ending injury, but the Bengals still have 25 sacks.

The Browns are yielding 247.1 passing yards a game and are coming off a rough showing against Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford. The secondary could be in for a long day if Palmer gets time, which is likely considering the lack of a strong pass rush. Safety Brodney Pool has four interceptions.

ADVANTAGE: Bengals.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Bengals kicker Shayne Graham has made 12-of-17 field goal attempts. Punter Kevin Huber has a 37.5-yard net average. Scott has a 34.5-yard average on eight kick returns. Quan Cosby is averaging 11.4 yards on punt returns. The Bengals are allowing an average of 10.2 yards on punt returns.

Browns kicker Phil Dawson has connected on all six of his field-goal attempts. Punter Reggie Hodges, who's replacing the injured Dave Zastudil, has a 34.2-yard net average. Joshua Cribbs is averaging 26.4 yards on kick returns and 13.2 yards on punt returns.

ADVANTAGE: Browns.

PREDICTION: Bengals, 31-10.

- MIKE?McLAIN

mmclain@tribtoday.com