Bengals...14 Browns...0

CLEVELAND —  As bad as they’ve been, the Cincinnati Bengals can brag they’re Ohio’s best NFL team. And that isn’t saying much.

Cedric Benson rushed for a career-high 171 yards and Leon Hall returned one of his three interceptions 50 yards for a touchdown to help the Bengals get their first road win this season, 14-0, over the hapless Cleveland Browns.

After losing their first eight games, the Bengals (3-11-1) have won two in a row for the first time since the final two games of 2007. It was their first road win since beating Miami in the finale last season, and the shutout was Cincinnati’s first since blanking the Browns, 30-0, on Nov. 26, 2006.

Cleveland (4-11) has lost five straight, seven of eight and hasn’t scored a touchdown on offense since running back Jerome Harrison’s 73-yard sprint on Nov. 17 at Buffalo -- nearly 21 quarters ago. Cleveland didn’t score a touchdown in its final three home games.

All the Bengals had to do was hand the ball to Benson, who rushed 38 times. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed five of nine passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Quoteworthy: “Worst season I’ve ever played in.” -- Jamal Lewis, Browns running back