Last year the Browns were one of the better running teams in the league with Peyton Hillis in the backfield. This year that's not the case. Hillis has been sidelined by injuries and he's had a falling out with the team and the city. Montario Hardesty, another talented running back on the roster, has also been injured. The Browns have been forced to turn to Chris Ogbonnaya, a practice squad player for the Houston Texans in 2010. Ogbonnaya hasn't been bad for the Browns but with Hardesty primed and ready to go against the Bengals and Hillis a game-time decision, he'll probably take a back seat once again.
The Bengals will need to play well against the run, regardless of which running back they face, if they want to beat the Browns in Week 12.
The Bengals have the third best run defense in the league and that run defense will need to show up against the Browns on Sunday. If they can stop Hardesty (or whichever running back is in the backfield) they'll force the ball into Colt McCoy's hands.
The Browns have been slightly better at passing than they have been running the ball but the Bengals have a better chance at creating some turnovers, especially if their defensive line can pressure McCoy, if the Browns throw the ball.
Stopping the run will also stop the Browns from trying to control the clock and keeping the Bengals offense off the field. These are the reasons that stopping the run is one of the five keys to a Bengals victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.
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