Browns vs. Bengals 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

The Cincinnati Bengals are one of four 7-0 teams remaining in the NFL, a record number coming into Week 9. They look to extend their win streak to eight games this week on Thursday Night Football, but to do so, they must defeat the division rival Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland finds itself banged up heading into Thursday's game. Two wide receivers and two starters in the secondary are in concussion protocol while starting quarterback Josh McCown suffered a potentially serious injury to his ribs during last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals. That means second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel will step in to fill McCown's shoes.

Manziel hasn't started a game since Sept. 20, though his play in that game looked much improved over his rookie season. He completed 8 of his 15 passes that day for 172 yards and two touchdowns as the Browns downed the visiting Tennessee Titans, 28-14. Although it's likely that the Cleveland coaching staff will simplify the offense for Manziel, the former Texas A&M standout will still have the liberty to freelance when the play breaks down.

Meanwhile, the Bengals have few question marks anywhere on the roster. The offense has outperformed all reasonable expectations from before the season, with quarterback Andy Dalton raising his play to new levels. Through seven games, Dalton has completed a career-best 66.2 percent of his passes for 1,992 yards, 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Not only has Cincinnati's signal caller avoided costly mistakes, but he has also shown the ability to guide his team during adverse situations. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, Dalton led a fourth-quarter comeback that culminated with a 9-yard touchdown to superstar receiver A.J. Green.

Much of the credit for Dalton's success this year belongs to the offensive line, which has played as well as any in football. The unit has yielded only 49 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, the third-fewest in the league. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth never hears his name brought up in the discussion of best blindside protectors, but the veteran hasn't allowed a sack this season. Likewise, interior linemen Kevin Zeitler and Clint Boling have made life much easier for their quarterback, combining for just one charged sack through seven games. As long as he has few defenders in his face, Dalton can keep pace with anyone at his position.

Just as importantly, the Cincinnati defense has rebounded after a mediocre 2014 campaign. Last year, the run defense ranked almost dead last in the league, according to Football Outsiders' DVOA metric. This season the unit has moved up to No. 11, making things significantly more difficult for opposing offenses. That ranking could improve even more now that Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict has returned from a serious knee injury that cost him the first part of the season. Burfict doesn't appear to have his full range of motion yet. However, the former undrafted free agent possesses strong instincts and a nose for the football.