Bengals Trash Winless Browns To Keep Playoff Pulse Beating [VIDEO]
TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Bengals took trash talk to a new level after thumping the winless Browns.
Cincinnati cornerback Adam Jones spent several minutes following Sunday's 23-10 win over Cleveland dismissing and disrespecting Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, who was held to one catch for 3 yards.
As reporters mingled near his locker, "Pacman" Jones launched an unprovoked verbal attack on Pryor, his former teammate in Cincinnati.
"I ain't talking about nothing but Terrelle Pryor today," Jones hollered. "Get out of my face if you want to ask me anything else."
Jones then unleashed on Pryor, the former Ohio State and Oakland quarterback, who changed positions after being released by the Bengals last year.
"For a guy that's been a slouch around the league as a quarterback, he does a lot of fake hard (stuff)," Jones said, using several profanities. "I don't have no respect for him. I looked up his background. He's a suburban kid from Pittsburgh."
Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes in the first half to Tyler Eifert as the Bengals (5-7-1) kept their slim playoff hopes alive and extended Cleveland's losing streak to 16 games going back to last season. The Browns haven't won since Dec. 13, 2015.
Based on the way the Bengals played and Jones' comments, it was clear Cincinnati's players had no sympathy for their in-state rivals.
In fact, Jones used a locker room prop to get his point across about Pryor.
With several teammates egging him on, Jones picked up a garbage can and yelled into it, "Get him (Pryor) out of there. Do you see him in there? Terrelle? Terrelle?"
Jones then slammed the receptacle on the floor and said, "Terrelle Pryor is garbage."
It's not known why there is bad blood between Jones and Pryor, who dressed quickly and left Cleveland's locker room before speaking with reporters.
For the Bengals, there's no margin for error. Another loss will eliminate them from making the playoffs for the sixth straight year.
They may not make the postseason anyway, but after winning consecutive games for the first time all season, the Bengals, who will host Pittsburgh next week, aren't giving up.
"There are three big weeks left and it will be a challenge," said offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. "It's three really good teams, and so we'll have an opportunity to really put our will forward.
"Next week, we have a great opportunity with Pittsburgh coming to our place and what should be a big battle."
After facing the Steelers, the Bengals are at Houston before hosting Baltimore.
Dalton wore two gloves over his right throwing hand to improve his grip in the wintry conditions. Missing wide receiver A.J. Green for the third straight game, Dalton used rookie wide receiver Tyler Boyd and Eifert as his primary targets.
He connected on scoring passes with Eifert of 14 and 5 yards in the opening half as the Bengals opened a 20-0 lead and turned away a Cleveland comeback in the second half.
Cincinnati rushed for 213 yards as Jeremy Hill picked up 111 and the Bengals' offense kept the ball away from the Browns after halftime.
There's nothing the Bengals can do now about a recent 0-3-1 stretch that may wind up keeping them out of the playoffs for the sixth straight year. All they can do is look ahead.
"At the end of the day, everybody has to be stepping up," Boyd said. "It would be huge to win on out, but we have to get back to Cincy and beat the Steelers to keep it going."
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