The last time these two teams met, Andy Dalton was playing in his first NFL regular season game. He didn't finish that game, though, as Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor burst through the center of the Bengals offensive line and hit Dalton as he released the ball, pining his wrist between Taylor's face mask and Dalton's shoulder pads. Dalton left the game and Bruce Gradkowski brought the Bengals back, leading them to their first victory of the season.

The Bengals offensive line, who gave up two sacks to the Ravens last week but none to the Steelers in Week 10, will need to play much better against the Browns on Sunday if the Bengals want to win in Week 12.

The Bengals have a very talented group of receivers but even the best pass defense in the NFL can't cover them forever. If Dalton has time to sit in the pocket and wait for his receivers to get open, and they will get open, he could have a career day. 

The Bengals offensive line really let the team down in the final seconds of the Bengals Week 11 loss to the Ravens. Dalton had the chance to send the game to overtime and the Bengals were in the red zone but all the sudden the Ravens pass rush came alive and the Bengals offensive line flat lined. 

This is a huge game for the Bengals when it comes to keeping their playoff hopes alive. Right now they're in charge of their own playoff destiny but if they fall to the Browns, that may not be the case anymore. They know that and the Browns know they have the chance to play the spoiler on Sunday. They'll likely send some extra pressure Dalton's way to try to force him into making a bad decision and the offensive line needs to be ready for it. The were able to sack Dalton three times in the first half of their last game and that can't happen again.

These are the reasons that the offensive line's protection of Dalton is one of the five keys to a Bengals victory over the Browns in Week 12.