Eifert’s 3 TDs lead Bengals over Browns, 31-10

CINCINNATI -- Tight end Tyler Eifert caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Andy Dalton as the Cincinnati Bengals remained unbeaten with a 31-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night at Paul Brown Stadium.

Cincinnati improved to 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Dalton came in 3-7 in his career in primetime games, but he delivered a steady performance Thursday night, going 21 of 27 for 263 yards and three touchdowns.

Receiver Marvin Jones led Cincinnati with five catches for 78 yards against a Browns secondary playing without cornerback Joe Haden and strong safety Donte Whitner, who are both injured.

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel started in place of injured Josh McCown and played well in spots, passing for 168 yards and a touchdown.

But, Cincinnati's defense sacked Manziel three times in the second half, during which the Browns (2-7) managed just 32 total yards.

Cincinnati figured to run the ball against the worst rush defense in the league, and they had 154 yards on the ground, led by Gio Bernard's 71.

On Cleveland's first possession of the third quarter, Manziel appeared to have gained 13 yards on third-and-12 from his own 10-yard line.

But, a Cincinnati challenge overturned the spot.

The Bengals converted that decision into three points when a 28-yard field goal by Mike Nugent gave them a 17-10 lead.

The clinching touchdown came early in the fourth quarter when receiver Mohamed Sanu scored on a 25-yard reverse making the score 24-10.

Cincinnati orchestrated a 10-play, 63-yard drive on its first possession.

After the Bengals converted on fourth-and-inches, Dalton passed to tight end Tyler Eifert for a nine-yard touchdown pass, putting them ahead 7-0.

The Bengals blitzed often on the Browns' opening drive, forcing Manziel into a pair of third-and-long situations.

On its next possession, Cleveland used a quick-hit passing game to ease the pressure on Manziel and drove 71 yards, but all the Browns could manage was a 27-yard field goal by Travis Coons.

Cleveland defensive end Desmond Bryant beat left guard Clint Boling and sacked Dalton to force a punt. But the Browns offense stalled again.

After the Browns held on fourth-and-2 at the 6-yard line, an offside penalty gave the Bengals a first down. Two plays later, Dalton and Eifert connected again, this time for a 2-yard touchdown making the score 14-3.

Manziel was 11 of 18 for 128 yards in the first half and capped off a 92-yard drive by finding Duke Johnson for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds left in the half.

NOTES: With his two first-half touchdown catches, Bengals TE Tyler Eifert took over the NFL lead in touchdown catches for tight ends. ... Bengals RT Andre Smith (concussion) and LB Rey Maualuga (calf) were inactive. Eric Winston made his first start this season in place of Smith and Vincent Rey started for Maualuga. ... Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict who was active for the first time last week, started Thursday. ... Browns CB Joe Haden, who held Bengals WR A.J. Green to just eight catches in two meetings last season, and S Donte Whitner were inactive Thursday with concussions. Pierre Desir started in Haden's place and Ibraheim Campbell replaced Whitner.