Minnifield, Browns Teach Bengals Lesson, 23-16

CLEVELAND â€”  Frank Minnifield said the Cincinnati Bengals will learn that talk is cheap.

The Cleveland cornerback, spurred by a pre-game insult, blocked a punt that Herman Fontenot turned into a touchdown and helped the Browns shut down Cincinnati, 23-16, Sunday.

“I’m just glad they gave me something to get me fired up for the game,� Minnifield said. “There was no way I was not going to play a great game.�

Minnifield was angered by Cincinnati defensive back Lewis Billups, who recently declared the Bengals’ secondary as the best in the AFC Central Division. When asked about Minnifield, Billups responded, “Minny-who?�

“When you’re first getting into the (NFL), you really don’t know how long the arm of the media is,� Minnifield said. “I talked to him after the game. He’s a nice guy.�

The Browns kept Boomer Esiason and the NFL’s highest-scoring offense out of the end zone. Cincinnati’s only touchdown came on David Fulcher’s 16-yard interception return.

The Browns (6-3) won their 3rd straight game and moved to within a game of the Bengals (7-2) in the AFC Central race as Cincinnati lost for the 2nd time in 3 weeks.

“We can claim we broke down (on special teams) or we can claim they beat us,� Cincinnati Coach Sam Wyche said. “This is the best defense we’ve faced, the way they played today. But we’re still 7-2 and ahead of Cleveland.�

Cleveland led, 13-10, in the 3rd quarter when Minnifield deflected Scott Fulhage’s punt at the Bengals’ 10-yard line. Fontenot scooped it up at the 1 and rolled into the end zone to make it 20-10.

Bernie Kosar of Cleveland, playing his 2nd game since missing 6 weeks with an elbow injury, completed 18 of 28 passes for 210 yards, with 2 interceptions.

Esiason was 12 of 25 for 173 yards without a touchdown or an interception. It was the 2nd time this season Esiason was held under a 50% completion rate. The Browns limited him to 8 of 23 in Cincinnati’s 24-17 victory last month.