The Cleveland Browns have secured a third successive victory by beating AFC Northern Division rivals the Cincinnati Bengals 24-3.
Cleveland took the early advantage at the Paul Brown Stadium when Ben Tate spotted a gap to hurry into the endzone from four yards out.
Despite the breakthrough arriving less than five minutes into the match, it would be the defensive players who would dominate in the first half as Brian Hoyer and Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton struggled to connect with their respective offenses.
Mike Nugent reduced the deficit by converting a 43-yard field goal for the Bengals, but the lead would be extended by Cleveland in the second quarter when Isaiah Crowell forced his way to a touchdown with a two-yard rush.
Dalton's difficulties hitting his receivers further up the field would be a common theme as Browns took a 17-3 advantage into the break thanks to a field goal from Billy Cundiff.
Both sides would be forced to punt early in the third quarter, but Cleveland and Hoyer remained patient with a 10-play drive to score a third touchdown through Terrance West, who charged in from a yard out.
Cundiff missed the chance to score a second field goal in the final quarter as the offenses on each side continued to struggle heading into the latter stages.
