Bengals Too Much for Browns

Standing on the sidelines, Sam Wyche felt in control.

His Cincinnati Bengals piled up an early lead and then turned into counter-punchers Sunday in turning back the Cleveland Browns, 27-10.

“We never got in a situation where we felt like we were fixing to lose control of the game,” Wyche said. “There was always that balance. Just as Cleveland made a good play or scored, we did something to counter or match the points.

“Our players deserved this win because they’ve come a long way this season. I think this was our best defensive effort today. I think we were among the better defenses in the league this Sunday.”

The Bengals (5-5), who lost five of their first seven games and had the worst defense in the league in the early weeks of the season, remained tied with Pittsburgh for the AFC Central lead. The Browns (4-6) lost their fourth straight game.

Boomer Esiason hit James Brooks with an eight-yard scoring pass and Jim Breech kicked field goals of 28 and 33 yards. Larry Kinnebrew had a three-yard scoring run and Charles Alexander went over from the one.

Esiason completed 23 of 33 passes for 262 yards. Cris Collinsworth had eight receptions for 135 yards.

Cleveland rookie Bernie Kosar, who completed 16 of 32 passes for 219 yards, threw a 27-yard scoring pass to Earnest Byner in the second quarter. But his three second-half mistakes prevented the Browns from coming back.

Kosar’s errant throw in the third period was ruled a lateral and recovered by Cincinnati’s Reggie Williams at Cleveland’s 25 to set up a field goal. Kosar was twice intercepted in the fourth quarter.

The Browns’ other points came on a 39-yard field goal by Matt Bahr.