Browns safety Jabrill Peppers doesn't need any inflammatory comments from the Bengals to get him fired up for Sunday's game at FirstEnergy Stadium.
He's still mad about some of the things the Bengals said before Cleveland's 35-20 win Nov. 25 in Cincinnati.
SIGN UP to watch every NFL game and RedZone during the 2018 season on DAZN
There was some trash talking from both teams before that game, and some of the Bengals players had to be separated from Peppers and fellow Browns safety Damarious Randall during pre-game warmups.
But Peppers said Friday one of the Bengals players went too far with his comments, saying, "Why are you talking? You play for the Browns."
“That was probably the most disrespectful thing somebody said to us,’’ Peppers said (via Cleveland.com). “That’s why I think we’re going to come out here with the same type of tenacity. Because stuff like that, that sticks with you. Like these guys really, really don’t respect us as an organization and as players. So that makes you want to go out there with that extra oomph.”
The presence of former Browns coach Hue Jackson on the Cincinnati sidelines provides extra motivation for Peppers and his teammates. The Bengals hired Jackson as a special assistant on Nov. 13, two weeks after Cleveland fired him.
“Thankful that he brought me here — but still looking forward to kicking his ass again," Peppers said.