--RB Cedric Benson signed with the Bengals in late September and emerged as the starter. He was out of the league after two alcohol-related charges that were brought against him while he was still with the Bears. He was later exonerated on both charges. With the Bengals, Benson, who can be an unrestricted free agent after the season, has been a model citizen.

"He's been very, very consistent," coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's been extremely professional. At times he's been frustrated -- and as we all know, people get -- he's been very apologetic immediately afterwards and caught himself in mid-stride that way, which has been great to see. Most importantly, the things you guys don't get a chance to see and I do, is how hard he works every day and the extra time he's spent to prepare and try to be an important part of the offense as quick as he could."

Benson was "sore," said Lewis, putting the tailback on the unofficial injury report Monday.

--LT Levi Jones (hamstring) is expected to miss his sixth consecutive game Sunday at home against Kansas City. Coach Marvin Lewis said Jones is doubtful.

--WR Chad Ocho Cinco missed the game Sunday at Cleveland because of a hamstring injury sustained Thursday in practice, and he said Monday that he didn't want to push it late in the season.

"I don't know if it's something you want to play with and rush right now," he said. "I've never had a hamstring problem. I haven't had any problems, except for this year with my shoulder. The ankle was nothing. I chose to play on that for a few years. I came back from the shoulder quickly, almost two weeks time, ready for the opener. (But) a hamstring is really not something you want to play with. Being a muscle, you can't control when it's right or when it heals. It needs rest. There's no reason to really rush back at this time."

--QB Carson Palmer will miss his 12th game of the season and his 11th in a row with an inflamed throwing elbow.

"Carson will participate in practice in limited fashion, where he would not be contacted by anybody," coach Marvin Lewis said.

Whether Palmer will have surgery remains his decision.

"Carson has to be the one who has the feeling; we don't feel for him," Lewis said. "He has to know that he can make the throws that he normally would without issue, and that's the thing. So far (Palmer's progress has) been great."

The decision whether to have an operation will not automatically be made at the end of the season.

"Yes, it will definitely go beyond this week," Lewis said. "If he goes through this week, then he will continue to do what he has been doing (rehabbing his elbow), and things will be fine."

--OL Dennis Roland will likely start Sunday in place of the injured Stacy Andrews at right tackle against the Chiefs.

REPORT CARD VS. REDSKINS

PASSING OFFENSE: A -- QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was 5-for-9 with a 20-yard touchdown to Chris Henry. The Bengals did not allow a sack and had enough of a threat of a pass game that the Browns had to respect the presence, at least, of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

RUSHING OFFENSE: A -- The Bengals rushed for a season-best 191 yards, with Cedric Benson getting career highs in yards (171) and attempts (38). The Bengals offensive line dominated the Browns front. And with an anemic offense, the Browns could not catch up or score quickly.

PASS DEFENSE: A -- The Bengals had three sacks, two by John Thornton, and CB Leon Hall had three of the team's four interceptions. Hall returned the first interception 50 yards for a touchdown, which proved insurmountable for a Browns offense that has now gone 20 consecutive quarters without a touchdown.

RUSH DEFENSE: B -- Cincinnati did allow 137 rush yards on 29 carries, but playing with lead, the Bengals had the Browns in a position to pass more than they would have liked. Jamal Lewis had 76 yards on 16 carries.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B -- Shayne Graham missed his only field-goal attempt, but the Bengals held dangerous return man Josh Cribbs in check with a 4-yard average on three punt returns. Kyle Larson punted six times and dropped three inside the 20 to keep the Browns pinned back most of the day.

COACHING: A -- Coach Marvin Lewis is two-thirds of the way toward his goal of winning the last three games of the season. His players continue to play hard, and they were ready for the Browns game in cold weather. The shutout was the first for the Bengals since Nov. 26, 2006, at Cleveland, and coordinator Mike Zimmer's defense continues to improve.