Bengals Again Let Dillon Run the Show

The Cincinnati Bengals have found the solution to their losing ways, and until somebody stops running back Corey Dillon, they are going to keep handing him the ball.

Dillon, who set an NFL record with 278 yards last week, rushed for 137 yards and one touchdown in 27 carries Sunday as the Bengals won their second consecutive game, earning a 12-3 victory over the banged-up Cleveland Browns.

“That was like old-time football and for an old defensive coach this was a very pretty game,” Bengal Coach Dick LeBeau said. “We ran the ball well. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

The Bengals (2-6), who had failed to score in any of their first three road games, did just enough to send Cleveland (2-7) to its sixth consecutive loss.

Dillon scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter, Neil Rackers kicked a 39-yard field goal in the third and the Bengals were credited with a safety in the fourth when the Browns were penalized for holding in their end zone.

Dillon’s two-game total of 415 yards is the third highest in NFL history. Only O.J. Simpson (476 yards in 1976) and Walter Payton (467 in 1977) rushed for more yards in a two-game span.

“It was a lot tougher this week,” said Dillon. “They were set up to stop the run.”

With quarterback Akili Smith’s left knee aching after being hit in the first half, the Bengals’ passing game was nearly nonexistent. Smith completed seven of 20 passes for 84 yards.

Brown Coach Chris Palmer used a two-quarterback rotation of Doug Pederson and rookie Spergon Wynn.

Pederson completed six of 16 passes for 65 yards, and Wynn was seven of 16 for 82 yards and one interception.

The Browns’ longest offensive play was a 38-yard gain on a pass interference call in the third quarter.