Cincinnati @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 14, 2012 ) Cincinnati 24, Cleveland 34

Just when it appeared that the Cleveland Browns had thrown in the towel on the season by trading star running back Trent Richardson, quarterback Brian Hoyer came off the bench to resurrect their fading hopes. Hoyer will be back under center on Sunday when the Browns host the Bengals in an AFC North contest. Brandon Weeden threw a pair of TD passes as Cleveland snapped its 11-game slide with a 34-24 win over Cincinnati last season, but he will miss his second straight game with a thumb injury.

Bengals receiver A.J. Green believes that his team's recent victories over Green Bay and Pittsburgh made a statement. "I feel like last year we didn't take that step to beat the signature teams," Green said. "But this year we're coming out with the W against premier teams in the NFL." The Bengals look to make it three straight wins this weekend against a division foe they've beaten seven of the last nine meetings.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Bengals -4. O/U: 42.5.

ABOUT THE BENGALS (2-1): Cincinnati's defense, which hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer in the past 17 games, frustrated Aaron Rodgers last week. The Bengals limited Rodgers to 244 yards passing and picked him off twice but they still surrendered 30 straight points in the bizarre contest. Cincinnati signed veteran defensive back Chris Crocker to alleviate some of the problems in its secondary, as Adam Jones faces more legal troubles and Leon Hall is battling a hamstring injury.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (1-2): Making just his second career start in his fifth NFL season, Hoyer threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns to tight end Jordan Cameron as the Browns rallied past the Vikings a week ago. Josh Gordon was brilliant in his return from a two-game suspension, catching 10 passes for 146 yards, but Willis McGahee provided little help on the ground in rushing for nine yards on eight carries as Richardson's replacement. Cleveland snapped a five-game losing streak last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton threw six TDs in his two games against the Browns last season.

2. Cleveland is sixth in the NFL in total defense allowing exactly 300 yards a game.

3. Offense dominated last season's two meetings, with the winner scoring 34 points in each.

PREDICTION: Bengals 24, Browns 17