In this article we will formulate a Browns vs Bengals prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, September 7th at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 1 matchup.
Cleveland Browns Betting Preview
The Cleveland Browns went 3-14 last season and they finished fourth in the AFC North standings, nine games behind Baltimore for first and six games behind Cincinnati for third. Cleveland started the season with a 1-1 record through two games, but they lost 13 of their last 15 and never won more than one game in a row. The Browns got wins against the Jaguars, Ravens, and Steelers, while they lost to the Cowboys, Giants, Raiders, Commanders, Eagles, Bengals (2), Chargers, Saints, Broncos, Steelers, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Ravens. Cleveland scored 15.2 points per game last year, which was ranked 32nd in the NFL, while they allowed 25.6 points against per game, which was ranked 27th.
In the preseason, Cleveland won all three games against the Panthers, Eagles, and Rams by scores of 30-10, 22-13, and 19-17. The Browns are starting Joe Flacco at quarterback, but Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will press him for playing time as the season goes on. Cleveland will start Jerome Ford at running back, while Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and David Njoku will be some of Flacco’s passing options. Cleveland does have Myles Garrett on defense, but that unit is going to have to be special for the Browns to compete this year.
Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals were 9-8 last year and they finished third in the AFC North standings, three games behind the Ravens and one game behind the Steelers for second. Cincinnati started the season playing very poorly, as they lost four of their first five games, but they played better in the middle of the season and finished by winning each of the last five games. The Bengals got wins against the Panthers, Giants, Browns (2), Raiders, Cowboys, Titans, Broncos, and Steelers, while they lost against the Patriots, Chiefs, Commanders, Ravens (2), Eagles, Chargers, and Steelers. Cincinnati scored 27.8 points per game in 2024, which was ranked 6th in the NFL, while they allowed 25.5 points against per game, which was ranked 25th.
During the preseason, Cincinnati lost the first and third games against the Eagles and Colts by scores of 34-27 and 41-14, but they did win the second game by a score of 31-17 against the Commanders. The Bengals will have Joe Burrow under center, who is capable of winning any game, while Chase Brown is set to be the lead back. Burrow will throw to Chase, Higgins, and Gesicki, as they try to replicate the offensive success from last season. On defense, Cincinnati was very bad in 2024 and they looked rough in the preseason, so they will be playing in higher scoring games.
Why the Browns will beat the Bengals
- The Bengals have lost each of their last six road openers.
- The underdogs have won three of the Bengals’ last four Week 1 games.
- The Bengals have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four season openers against AFC opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the last six games between the Bengals and Browns.
- The Browns have scored the first touchdown in six of their last seven home games against the Bengals.
- The Bengals have lost the first quarter in four of their last five September games as favorites against AFC North opponents.
- The underdogs have won the first half in eight of the Bengals’ last nine Week 1 games.
Why the Bengals will beat the Browns
- The Browns have lost each of their last six games.
- The Bengals have won each of their last five games.
- The Browns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games.
- The Bengals have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 Sunday games as road favorites.
- The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in each of their last five games against AFC North opponents.
- The Bengals have won the first quarter in each of their last five games against AFC North opponents.
- The Browns have lost the first half in each of their last eight Sunday games.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Browns’ last eight Sunday games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Bengals’ last four season openers against AFC North opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the last six Sunday games at Huntington Bank Field have gone UNDER the total points line.
Cleveland Browns Player Prop Facts
- Jerry Jeudy has recorded 63+ receiving yards in nine of the Browns’ last 10 games.
- Deshaun Watson has recorded 27+ rushing yards in each of his last five Week 1 appearances.
- Deshaun Watson has scored a touchdown in three of his last four Week 1 appearances.
- Deshaun Watson has recorded 275+ passing yards in five of his last six appearances with his team as a home underdog.
- Deshaun Watson has recorded 21+ completions in each of the Browns’ last six September games.
- Myles Garrett ranked 1st in the league for tackles for loss (22) last season.
Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts
- Joe Burrow has recorded 26+ completions in nine of the Bengals’ last 10 games.
- Joe Burrow has recorded 271+ passing yards in seven of the Bengals’ last eight games.
- Ja’Marr Chase has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Bengals’ last six games against AFC North opponents.
- Samaje Perine has recorded 11+ receiving yards in each of his last 10 regular season appearances with his team as a favorite.
- Samaje Perine has recorded 18+ rushing yards in each of his last six Sunday regular season appearances with the Bengals as favorites.
- Samaje Perine has recorded 24+ rushing and receiving yards in eight of his last nine Sunday regular season appearances with his team as a road favorite.
- Joe Burrow ranked 1st in the NFL in passing yards (4918) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Browns ranked 32nd in the NFL in points per game (15.2) last season.
- The Browns ranked 32nd in the NFL in interceptions (4) last season.
- The Bengals ranked 1st in the NFL in passing yards per game (272.9) last season.
- The Bengals ranked 1st in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game (66.6) last season.
David Racey was 18-10 (64%) in the NFL Preseason this year. Click here for his premium plays for this week!
Browns vs Bengals Prediction
Cincinnati comes into this season looking for a much better start than they had in 2024, and they should be fine against this Cleveland team. The Browns are not supposed to be very good this year, but Flacco could find success against this Cincinnati defense. I expect Burrow and the Cincinnati offense to flourish in this game, but I don’t know if I fully trust their defense. I think Flacco could make some plays here, especially in the second half when they are trailing. Take the over here.