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Bengals host Browns in battle of winless teams

Sep 23, 2008 - 3:23 PM CLEVELAND (0-3) AT CINCINNATI (0-3), 1:00 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- There are two O's in Ohio, but one of the state's professional football teams will no longer have a zero by its name by the end of the weekend.

The battle of Ohio commences on Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North clash between a pair of 0-3 squads.

Neither team expected to be in this predicament, particularly Cleveland, which was tabbed as a contender for the division title following a 10-6 record last season.

Although they have faced one of the league's toughest early-season schedules, the Browns have been feeble on offense, registering a league-low 26 points. One of the biggest culprits has been quarterback Derek Anderson, who has taken a huge step backward off his Pro Bowl season of 2007.

Anderson has completed just 46 percent (43-of-93) of his passes with two touchdowns and five interceptions - a stark contrast to last season, when he tosses 29 touchdowns and 19 picks.

Coach Romeo Crennel said Monday that he is sticking with Anderson as his quarterback for now, but acknowledged he will start giving backup Brady Quinn some repetitions in practice this week.

"We will definitely try to get the other guy ready and ready to go," Crennel said. "We'll see how it progresses from there. Probably a few more reps in practice right now."

Pro Bowl wide receiver Braylon Edwards also is struggling, with just eight receptions for 73 yards, and dropped five passes in the first two games. Last season, Edwards had 80 catches and 16 touchdowns.

Cincinnati showed signs of getting its offense untracked in last week's 26-23 overtime loss at the New York Giants.

After scoring just 17 points in their first two games, the Bengals appeared on the verge of a major upset of the Super Bowl champs, driving to the 4-yard line before wasting too much time between plays and having to settle for a field goal to force overtime.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who tied for the league lead with 112 receptions last season, had 12 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown against New York. Carson Palmer, who was dreadful in the first two games, finished 27-of-39 for 286 yards and his first touchdown pass of the season.

The teams split the season series in 2007, which included a wild 51-45 shootout won by the Browns in Week Two.