CINCINNATI — Since an injury to starting center Alex Mack, the Cleveland Browns rushing attack had sputtered, producing just 52 yards per game the past two weeks. But, even with a short week of preparation ahead of Thursday night’s game, the Browns felt like they could run against the Cincinnati Bengals defense.

Cleveland executed its plan perfectly, rushing for 170 yards as a team, including 94 and a touchdown by running back Terrance West, in a 24-3 victory over Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium.

Cleveland (6-3) moved into a first-place tie in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who play at the New York Jets on Sunday. But, the Browns, who already surpassed last season’s win total, are unfazed.

It was the first regular-season loss at home for Cincinnati (5-3-1) since 2012. And, the largest margin of victory in the series since 1987.

“It does confound me,” said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. “Because it was at home, there was a certain level of excitement, rather than a steely-eyed focus maybe you’ve got to have.”

Cincinnati, which began the season 3-0, fell apart Thursday night, highlighted by the worst performance of the season for quarterback Andy Dalton, who went 10 of 33 for 86 yards and three interceptions.

Hoyer, meanwhile, improved to 9-3 as a starting quaterback, with an efficient outing, going 15 of 23 for 198 yards.

Cleveland led 17-3 at halftime, but put the score out of reach with a 10-play, 63-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown by West, giving them a three-touchdown lead.

That was more than enough cushion for Cleveland’s defense, which blanked the Bengals after halftime.

The Browns defense produced the game’s first big play when linebacker Craig Robertson intercepted a Dalton pass and returned it 15 yards to the Bengals’ 18.

That led to a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Ben Tate, putting Cleveland ahead 7-0.

It was a mistake-ridden first half for both teams, with a combined eight penalties for 83 yards and three turnovers.

Cleveland increased its lead early in the second quarter when running back Isaiah Crowell scored on a 2-yard run, making it 14-3.

The Bengals never challenged.

What the Browns said:

“This win was a huge confidence boost for our guys. We talked about it during the week, how not many people were giving us a chance. We took an ‘It’s us against the world’ mentality.” — Head coach Mike Pettine

“We’re playing full games. At first, we would give you a half, then slack off. Now we’re coming out fast and finishing strong. Everybody’s just into the game. Everybody’s holding everyone accountable. Everybody’s locked in. We just keep the pedal down, we never want it to feel comfortable (for opponents).” — Defensive back Joe Haden

What the Bengals said:

“We didn’t play good again on national TV. I don’t know what it is, but it’s hard. It’s just hard to play like that after we worked our butts off. We all had a hand in it. We’re just not playing good in any of the phases. It’s hard to win when you turn the ball over.” — wide receiver A.J. Green

“I have great respect for them and they fought hard. It’s disappointing because we lost so bad, not necessarily because it’s my old team. The primary objective is to win the game, no matter what day or who it’s against.” — wide receiver Greg Little

“I have to obviously play better. When you take turns missing assignments, missing a throw, whatever it might be, it’s not going to turn out well for you. We never could get into rhythm.” — quarterback Andy Dalton

What we learned about the Browns:

1. There is hope for Cleveland’s running game, which had been sputtering without Pro-Bowl center Alex Mack. The Browns rushed for more than 146 yards per game before Mack was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 17. Since then, they have rushed for just 52 yards per game and averaged fewer than two yards per carry. On Thursday night, they dominated, rushing for 170 yards, led by Terrance West’s 94 yards on 26 carries.

2. This isn’t the same Cleveland Browns. With Thursday night’s 24-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns moved into a first-place tie with Pittsburgh in the AFC North. Questions about whether coach Mike Pettine’s team was ready for prime time were answered on Thursday night at Paul Brown Stadium. “We’re not the same Cleveland Browns,” said defensive back Donte Whitner. “We understand everybody wants to put that label on us. But we have too much talent and character on this team to care what outside people think of us.”

–WR Andrew Hawkins, who was listed as questionable, was inactive for Thursday’s game with a leg injury. Taylor Gabriel started in his place. Hawkins, who spent three years with the Bengals, was denied a chance to play against his former team and improve on his team-leading 39 receptions and 504 receiving yards.

–DB Joe Haden won the one-on-one matchups with Bengals WR A.J. Green, who was held to three catches for 23 yards, despite being targeted 10 times. “A.J. is a great talent,” said Hayden. “I have to have my ‘A’ game against him. If we are going to win, we have to limit him. I just wanted to go out there and do my job.”

–QB Brian Hoyer was an effective game-manager on Thursday night, which is exactly what the Browns need him to be. Hoyer was 15 of 23 for 198 yards for a 92.3 rating. “He didn’t try to do too much,” said Browns head coach Mike Pettine. “He made some nice throws and executed the game plan.”

What we learned about the Bengals:

1. The Bengals need the elusiveness of running back Giovani Bernard. Last week, rookie Jeremy Hill had 24 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Jacksonville. With top rusher Giovani Bernard out with a hip pointer and clavicle injury for the second straight week, Hill was expected to carry the load again on Thursday night. He finished with 55 yards on 12 carries as Cincinnati managed to rush for just 86 yards. Hill also was relegated to the bench temporarily after fumbling in the first half. “I think turnovers and being able to convert third down,” said Hill, when asked about his team’s struggles on Thursday night. “You can’t turn the ball over and you have to convert third downs and help our defense. It’s as simple as that.”

2. Perception often is reality, and Cincinnati’s inability to play well in prime-time games has been a topic of much discussion. The only way for the Bengals to shed this reputation is to play well amid the bright lights. In the first half alone on Thursday, they were flagged for 12 men in the huddle, had two turnovers, and quarterback Andy Dalton was penalized when he threw a pass more than three yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Is it a lack of execution? Nerves? “It does confound me,” said coach Marvin Lewis. “This was different than New England (43-17 loss in Week 5), the last time we were this way. The one thing that came out of both of those games was turnovers.”

–RT Andre Smith was inactive Thursday with a sprained left ankle suffered in last week’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Marshall Newhouse started in Smith’s spot at right tackle.

–RB Giovani Bernard, as expected, missed his second straight game with a hip pointer and clavicle injury. Bernard had been listed as questionable for Thursday’s game. He leads the team with 446 yards and five touchdowns and is not expected to be out for an extended period.

–RB Jeremy Hill, coming off a 154-yard, two-touchdown performance last week, did not have a repeat performance on Thursday night. He temporarily was relegated to the bench after fumbling in the first half, and finished with 55 yards on 12 carries.