Ohio’s battle of winless has major implications

The Browns and Bengals are 0-3 and tottering on the verge of early elimination in the weak AFC North.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Derek Anderson threw away the Cleveland Browns’ playoff chances the last time he came to town.

The stakes are even higher for the return trip.

Anderson’s job — and perhaps the Browns’ chances for a turnaround — are on the line today when the “Battle of Ohio” resumes in a new form, more of a “Weekend of the Winless.”

The Browns and Bengals are both 0-3 and tottering on the verge of early elimination in the AFC North, where it may not take a lot of wins to get a title.

An 0-4 start probably won’t get it done, though.

“I think whoever wins this game is not totally out of it,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. “Everybody is playing tough teams, so it’s not over, probably, by a long shot. So if you can get a division win, you’re not out of it.”

Lose, and it’s a whole different matter. Think it’s ugly along the shores of Lake Erie and the Ohio River? Just wait for one more loss.

History would begin to beckon.

The Browns haven’t started 0-4 since 1999, their first year back in the league as an expansion team. Tim Couch led the overmatched Browns to a 2-14 finish that season, the start of a tough stretch. Cleveland has made only one playoff appearance since its return, a 9-7 record in 2002 was good enough for a wild-card berth and a first-round loss to Pittsburgh.

Think the Dawg Pound is riled up now? Center Hank Fraley has already gotten a taste of the fans’ feelings on his weekly radio show.

“I had one [caller] after the second game. He said, ’Tell Romeo to kick another field goal,’ ” Fraley said. “I just laughed at him. I was like, ’All right, I will.’ As fans, you should be frustrated. We’re frustrated with you guys. We’re 0-3 and we want to do better for this city.”

Crennel won’t let the bad go on too long Sunday.

The Browns were on the verge of making the playoffs last season when they came to Cincinnati for the second-to-last game. Anderson had one of the worst games of his career, matching his career high with four interceptions in a 19-14 loss that ultimately kept Cleveland out of the playoffs.

In the first three games this season, Anderson has played more like he did that game in Cincinnati. He has completed only 46 percent of his throws with two touchdowns, five interceptions and a dismal passer rating of 43.5.

Anderson thinks he’s not too far off his game.

“Just a little better timing, a little better location. Little things,” Anderson said. “It’s not miraculous. We don’t have to change a ton.”

His coach is ready to drop a big change on him. If Anderson struggles against the Bengals, Brady Quinn will get into his second NFL game. Quinn, a first-round pick last season, played one series in Cleveland’s final game last year.