The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns square off in Sunday NFL Week 1 action at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off back to back double-digit winning seasons and enter year 5 under coach Zac Taylor. The Bengals haven’t won double-digit games or made the playoffs in 3 straight years since 2013-15. The Bengals’ offense is stacked with quarterback Joe Burrow, running back Joe Mixon, receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, and it got even better with the addition of offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. Of course the health of Burrow is key and his status of this game is questionable after missing a month and a half with a strained right calf. Defensively, the Bengals secondary took a hit with the departures of Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell, meaning second year players Cam Taylor-Britt and Dax Hill will see much larger roles. The bottom line is the Bengals look great on paper and have top-5 odds to win the Super Bowl at most books. Keep Burrow healthy and the Bengals can hold their own with any team in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts
- The Bengals have won each of their last 10 Sunday games as favorites.
- The road team has covered the spread in eight of the Bengals’ last nine Week 1 games.
- The Bengals have lost the first quarter in three of their last four season openers as favorites.
- The underdogs have won the first half in each of the Bengals’ last seven Week 1 games.
- The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games as favorites against AFC opponents.
Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts
- Joe Burrow ranked T2nd in the NFL in Passing Touchdowns (35) last season
Cleveland Browns Betting Preview
The Cleveland Browns have missed the playoffs in back to back seasons, but there are expectations in Kevin Stefanski’s fourth year. Owner Jimmy Haslam is on record that he expects playoffs for the Browns for the third time since 1995. Of course, a lot dpends on what version of Deshaun Watson they get. A 3-time Pro Bowler, Watson was rusty in 6 starts last year, completing just 58.2 percent of his passes for 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The Browns beefed up the receiver room by adding Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin, and they provide more weapons outside of star running back Nick Chubb. The Browns defense now has Jim Schwartz calling the shots, a guy who helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl as defensive coordinator. The Browns are in a tough AFC North, but there’s talent on this roster, and it’s not crazy to think postseason. Protecting home field in a season opening division game is key for Cleveland.
Cleveland Browns Team Facts
- The Browns has lost 26 of their last 27 matches as an underdog when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Browns has failed to cover the spread in each of their last six matches when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Browns have scored the first touchdown in each of their last 14 home games against AFC North opponents.
- The Browns have won the first quarter in each of their last two Sunday games as home underdogs.
- The favorites have won the first half in each of the Browns’ last six games.
Cleveland Browns Player Prop Facts
- Myles Garrett ranked T2nd in the NFL in Sacks (16.0) last season
Matchup/League Facts
- The Browns ranked 5th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (196.2) last season
- The Browns ranked 5th in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game (55.5) last season
- The Bengals ranked 1st in the AFC North for points scored per game last season (26.1)
- The Bengals ranked 1st in the AFC North for average point differential last season (+6.0)
Randy’s Pick
This line is what it is because of the questions surrounding Burrow. He’s missed six weeks of preseason action and practice due to a strained calf, and there’s no telling how comfortable or prepared he’ll be for the season opener. This line is different if Burrow is 100 percent. That’s why I’m leaning toward the Browns at home, as they can’t really afford to blow a spot like this in a division game against a team with a quarterback who has question marks over his head. If the Browns are really going to make a playoff push, this is a winnable game they need to take advantage of. Pick ’em spot given the situation, give me the Browns at home.