The Browns, last in the AFC North at 3-11, 30th in the 32-team NFL with an average of 17.07 points a game and so irrelevant they’ve been flexed out of two prime-time games, do lead the league in something. Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson have combined to throw an NFL-most 18 interceptions in 2024 — 12 thrown by Winston in seven games. Coach Kevin Stefanski wants that trend to change, so he decided to bench Winston and start DTR on Dec. 22 when the Browns face the Bengals in Cincinnati. “We’re going to start Dorian in this game,” Stefanski said as he opened his news conference Dec. 18. “We wanted to give him an entire week to prepare as the starter. We’re trying to find a way to win against a divisional opponent. “Obviously, we need to take better care of the football as an offense. That’s Dorian’s job. That’s the job of everybody that touches the ball. It’s not about one person.” Dorian Thompson-Robinson sounds like a confident man Dec. 18 after being named the #Browns starting quarterback for the game with the #Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/lCuowxALL6 — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) December 18, 2024 The timing works out well for Thompson-Robinson. The Bengals rank 29th in total defense and 31st in points allowed. They have allowed 34 or more points six times. Put another way, led by Joe Burrow, the Bengals (6-8) scored more than 30 points in four of their losses. Browns-Bengals at Cincinnati was originally scheduled for “Thursday Night Football” on Dec. 19, but the NFL swapped it with the Broncos-Chargers. Likewise, the Dolphins-Browns game originally scheduled for “Sunday Night Football” on Dec. 29 at Huntington Bank Field was flexed to 4:05 p.m. on the same date and replaced in prime time by the Falcons-Commanders game. Jameis Winston reflects on his support for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and his own time starting for the #Browns. DTR will start vs. the #Bengals Sunday, Coach Kevin Stefanski announced. pic.twitter.com/U9PESK7t9U — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) December 18, 2024 Prime time, 1 p.m. or 3 a.m. — all that matters to DTR is he is getting the chance to start. He appeared in eight games last season. He made a surprise start against the Ravens on Oct. 1 and planned starts against the Steelers and Broncos. He has played in four games this year, none of them starts, and has completed 15 of 34 passes for 100 yards. The 2023 fifth-round draft pick from UCLA has thrown one touchdown pass and seven interceptions in his time with the Browns. “I’m super excited, obviously, finally getting another opportunity at this thing,” Thompson-Robinson said in the locker room before practice Dec. 18. “A year ago I didn’t know much about being a quarterback at a high level. Getting to see guys like Joe (Flacco), PJ (Walker) and Deshaun (Watson), and now Jameis — being able to take all these experiences and put them into one is kind of the player I’m making myself into.” Stefanski informed Winston and DTR of his decision on Dec. 17. Stefanski said Winston took the news “like a pro.” Kevin Stefanski explains why he is starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson against the #Bengals Sunday. He said the decision is not an indictment of Jameis Winston, who has thrown three interceptions three times in seven starts. #Browns pic.twitter.com/GmeC8In01m — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) December 18, 2024 Normally a demoted player doesn’t step to the podium, but Winston did. He preceded Thompson-Robinson. He is disappointed but not bitter. Only the game with the Dolphins and the season finale in Baltimore remain for the Browns. Stefanski said his focus is on the Bengals when asked whether DTR will finish the season as the starter, but Winston, on a one-year contract, knows he might have started his last game with the Browns unless they re-sign him for 2025. “I definitely feel like I’ve shown enough that I am capable of being a starter in this league,’ Winston said. “However, there are some things that are important for me to get fixed so I can be the player I desire to be. “But it was a fun ride. What’s most important now is that the ride continues. Even if my show stops, the team show still goes on. I’m still going to be instrumental in leading this team to some success.” Winston said he is still open to returning to the Browns next season, but for now his focus is on helping DTR. “We’re going to break down whatever I need to get ready for this game,” Thompson-Robinson said. “We’re going to meet extra tonight in the quarterback room just to make sure I’m good on everything from today. But really any question or any answer I need, if he doesn’t have it, he’ll go find it for me. So that’s a tremendous help for me.” DTR followed Watson in the game with the Bengals on Oct. 20 after Watson suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in the second quarter. Thompson-Robinson completed 11 of 24 touchdown passes with no touchdown passes and two interceptions in the 21-14 loss. Jameis Winston looks to pass during the Browns’ loss to the Chiefs on Dec. 15. (Tim Phillis – For The News-Herald) Browns at Bengals When: 1 p.m. Dec. 22 Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati Records: Browns 3-11, Bengals 6-8 TV: WOIO Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKNR-AM 850, WKKY-FM 104.7