Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) vs Cleveland Browns (11-5)
2024-01-07 13:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Cincinnati Bengals -4.5 -- Over/Under: 38.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Browns will play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cleveland has won four games in a row, while Cincinnati is on a two game losing streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Browns vs Bengals prediction.
Browns Preview
The Cleveland Browns are 11-5 this year after they defeated the Jets by a score of 37-20 in their last game. Cleveland led 34-17 at halftime and they were able to coast in the second half for the win. The Browns out gained New York by a total of 428-360, but they did turn the ball over three times in the game. Cleveland has also defeated Houston, Chicago, and Jacksonville during this winning streak and they have clinched a playoff berth. The Browns offense is scoring 23.9 points per game with 222.1 passing yards per game and 119.6 rushing yards per game. Joe Flacco has thrown for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for the Browns this season. Jerome Ford has rushed for 807 yards and four touchdowns, while Amari Cooper (questionable) has caught 72 passes for 1,250 yards and five scores. The Cleveland defense is allowing 20.7 points against per game this year.
Bengals Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals are 8-8 this season after they lost to Kansas City by a score of 25-17 last week. Cincinnati led 17-7 in the second quarter, but allowed 18 unanswered points in the loss. The Bengals were out gained by a total of 373-263 and went 8-16 on third down in the game. Cincinnati lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 34-11 in the game prior to KC, but did defeat Minnesota, Indianapolis, and Jacksonville before that. The Cincinnati offense is averaging 20.9 points per game with 234.4 passing yards per game and 84 rushing yards per game. Jake Browning has thrown for 2,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions for the Bengals this season. Joe Mixon has rushed for 923 yards and eight scores, while Ja’Marr Chase has caught 96 passes for 1,197 yards and seven touchdowns. The Cincinnati defense is giving up 23.1 points against per game this season.
Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts
The Bengals have won eight of their last 10 home games against teams that held a winning record.
The Bengals have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games against AFC North opponents.
The home team has won the first half in each of the last four games between the Browns and Bengals.
The Bengals have lost the first quarter in each of their last two games as favorites.
The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight games as home favorites against AFC opponents.
Cleveland Browns Team Facts
The Browns have lost 14 of their last 15 away games when playing with a rest advantage.
The favorites have covered the spread in eight of the Browns’ last nine games.
The Browns have lost the first half in each of their last nine Sunday games as underdogs.
The Browns have lost the first quarter in each of their last six Sunday games as underdogs.
The Browns have scored the first touchdown in four of their last five games against AFC opponents.
Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts
Jake Browning has recorded 275+ passing yards in four of the Bengals’ last five games.
Tyler Boyd has recorded 38+ receiving yards in seven of the Bengals’ last eight regular season games as home favorites.
Joe Mixon has recorded 45+ rushing yards in 25 of his last 27 appearances following a loss.
Joe Mixon has recorded 68+ rushing and receiving yards in 13 of his last 14 regular season home appearances against AFC North opponents.
Jake Browning has scored the last touchdown in three of the Bengals’ last four games against AFC opponents.
Joe Mixon has scored a touchdown in five of the Bengals’ last six games as home favorites.
Joe Burrow has recorded 25+ completions in each of his last four regular season appearances with the Bengals as home favorites against AFC opponents.
Joe Burrow has thrown two or more touchdowns in seven of his last eight regular season appearances with the Bengals as home favorites against AFC opponents.
Trey Hendrickson ranks T1st in the AFC for sacks (17.0) this season.
Cleveland Browns Player Prop Facts
David Njoku has scored a touchdown in four of the Browns’ last five road games against the Bengals.
Jerome Ford has recorded 79+ rushing and receiving yards in four of the Browns’ last five road games against AFC opponents.
Joe Flacco has recorded 235+ passing yards in 13 of his last 14 appearances with his team as an underdog following a win.
Nick Chubb has recorded 12+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances with the Browns as underdogs.
Deshaun Watson has recorded 31+ rushing yards in each of his four previous appearances with the Browns as underdogs.
Joe Flacco has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of the Browns’ last five games.
Joe Flacco has recorded 23+ completions in 11 of his last 12 appearances against AFC North opponents.
Juan Thornhill is just two away from 10 career interceptions.
Matchup/League Facts
The Bengals rank 30th in the NFL in average yards per punt this season (44.2).
The Bengals rank 29th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game this season (255.2).
The Browns rank 1st in the NFL in time of possession per game this season (32:48).
The Browns rank 1st in the NFL in Q2 win percentage this season (68.8).
Browns vs Bengals Betting Prediction
Cincinnati has been eliminated from playoff contention, but they will be at home for this matchup to finish the regular season. Cleveland is locked into their playoff seed already, so this game truly doesn’t matter for them. The Browns will most likely rest a lot of their starters, which will give Cincinnati the advantage. The Bengals have actually played pretty well since losing Burrow, but the offense has struggled in their last two games. It is tough to know who will be playing for Cleveland and who will be sitting, but I am going to take Cincinnati in this game. There is no reason for Cleveland to risk injury in this contest, so I am expecting them to be very conservative. Take the Bengals here.
