Browns tame Bengals to claim share of top spot

1 of 2. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver James Wright (86) is unable to make a catch while being defended by Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 24-3. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns controlled the game on the ground and intercepted Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton three times to join Pittsburgh at the top of the AFC North.

Cleveland (6-3) has not been in first place this late in the season since 1986 and took another step toward a first playoff berth since 2002 by knocking Cincinnati out of the lead.

The Browns got touchdowns from running backs Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, who paced the attack with 94 rushing yards. A Dalton interception led to Cleveland's opening score, a four-yard run by Tate, and they built on the lead with 10 points in the second quarter and a third-quarter score from West.

The Bengals (5-3-1), meanwhile, managed just 165 total yards on the night.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)