On to the playoffs

One of the mantras for the Browns this unique season involved the bench, the plug uglies who are rarely part of game plans. As a general rule, they await their turn until they hear, often times without warning, "next man up."

But this season, the general rule lasted practically the entire season and the next men up performed so well, they helped the Browns return to the postseason. And Sunday down in Cincinnati, their contributions will be rewarded with reps in the season finale against the Bengals.

Sitting at 11-5 with a fifth seed that will not change no matter who wins this game enables head coach Kevin Stefanski to rest a vast majority of his starters and a few other major contributors in what amounts to a meaningless game.

(It's not meaningless to history, though. If the Bengals win and finish the season at 9-8, the AFC North becomes the first NFL division since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to finish with every team over .500.)

Don't look for regulars like Myles Garrett, Joe Flacco, Amari Cooper, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Denzel Ward, most of the offensive and defensive lines, linebacker corps, and most of the secondary and receiving corps. It's time to find out what the lower level of the roster looks like, including call-ups from the practice squad can do. Pretty certain they won't consider it meaningless.

Besides, the Bengals arrive with revenge on their minds. The 24-3 shellacking the Browns delivered in Cleveland to open the 2023 season has not been forgotten. That's the game in which the Cleveland defense quickly captured the attention of the National Football League universe. 

The Bengals compiled only six first downs, 142 total yards, were two for 15 on third down and Joe Burrow threw for just 82 yards. It was also the game Dustin Hopkins introduced himself to Browns Nation with four field goals. Hopkins (hamstring) will not kick Sunday.

Deshaun Watson ran 13 yards in the second quarter for one score and connected with tight end Harrison Bryant from three yards to close out the scoring.

Burrow went down with a wrist injury for the season midway through the season and was replaced by Jake Browning, who excited Bengals fans by winning three straight against Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Minnesota before falling to Pittsburgh and Kansas City on the road.

Replacing Flacco at quarterback is 30-year-old Jeff Driskel, a journeyman who was recently plucked off the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad and placed on the Cleveland active roster. Kind of like this move even though Driskel's resumé is not exactly what you would call distinguished.

He is 1-9 as an NFL starter, but appealed to the Browns through his connection to Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzig, who was the Browns' quarterback coach last season and runs a similar offense to the Browns'.

And right now, even though we haven't seen him take a snap, he's already better than P. J. Walker, who unbelievably was 1-1 as a starter with the Browns this season, and not-ready-yet rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

On Driskel's radar Sunday will be Cedric Tillman, James Proche, David Bell, Marquise Goodwin, Auston Watkins Jr. and tight ends Jordan Akins and Bryant. Wouldn't be surprised if Elijah Moore gets a day off to give his concussion an extra week to heal.

The ground game most likely will be divided among Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong Jr. and John Kelly Jr. with Jerome Ford, who has been a major part of the offense lately in both phases of the position, given the afternoon off.

The Bengals, meanwhile, are disgustingly healthy. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is the lone major player who won't suit up. He's doubtful with a hamstring. 

The Cleveland defense can expect to see a lot of running back Joe Mixon behind a large offensive line, and wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd lurking in the secondary. Linebackers Owusu-Koramoah and Sione Takitaki, who have played strong football the last few months, are prime candidates to get the afternoon off. 

The Browns' offensive line will have its hand full with edge rushers Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson, who have feasted against starters in recent years, working Sunday against a couple of backups. 

Normally, this would be a difficult pick because these teams are so evenly matched. But there's been nothing normal bout this season. With that in mind and the situation at hand, the Browns' four-game winning streak ends. Browning throws for two touchdowns (Chase and Boyd), Mixon runs for one and the defense sacks Driskel four times and picks him off twice. Revenge complete. Make it:

Bengals 27, Browns 14