BEREA, Ohio -- Jamal Lewis rushed for 216 yards when Cleveland hung 51 points on the Cincinnati Bengals during a victory in week two.
The Browns running back sounded certain yesterday that the Bengals would remember that performance, in which he carried 27 times for an 8-yard average and scored a touchdown to help fuel a wild 51-45 win.
"I'm sure they're going to come out and be over-aggressive against the run," Lewis said. "They've had their adjustments from what I've seen on film to the run. The last four or five games, they've been pretty good."
Lewis is averaging 113.8 rushing yards in his past five games. He rushed for 163 yards through the snow in an 8-0 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The forecast in Cincinnati appears tailor-made for the running game -- a high of 44 degrees this Sunday, with gusty winds and the possibility of rain or snow showers.
Secondary playing better
When the Browns faced the Bengals on Sept. 16, Cleveland's secondary allowed 394 passing yards and six touchdowns.
They will aim to do a better job against quarterback Carson Palmer on Sunday. Cleveland's defense is allowing an average of nine points the past two weeks.
Cornerbacks Leigh Bodden, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald did not allow a touchdown throw in wins over the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Safeties Sean Jones and Brodney Pool have been consistent in making big plays all season.
"We're a totally different secondary," Wright said. "We understand the defense, understand our responsibilities, where we need to be, and we're just coming together as a unit."
Cincinnati has scored 30 points or more in the past three meetings with the Browns, and Palmer is 5-2 all time against them.
"As an offense we've always executed well and matched up pretty well with them," Palmer said. "Year in and year out we seem to put up a lot of points and play well. But it's different this year; that the defense has really come along."
for cHasing them away 
