Browns vs. Bengals Prediction
Can the Cleveland Browns pick up a needed road win when they face the struggling Cincinnati Bengals today at 1PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
259 Cleveland Browns at 260 Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, November 25, 2018
1PM ET – Paul Brown Stadium
TV: CBS
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Bengals are favored at home in this game, as they are getting odds of -1 point against the Browns. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 46.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 51 percent going on the Bengals at home.
Bengals on a skid
The Bengals are coming off a 24-21 loss at Baltimore last week for their fourth loss in five games. They are now 5-5 overall, 5-5 against the spread and 7-3 with the over. Are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five as well.
Cincinnati has been worse than Cleveland on defense this year, as they rank 31st or 32nd in the league in total defense (449.4 ypg), passing defense (295.6 ypg), rushing defense (153.8 ypg) and points allowed (31.2 ppg). Their offense has managed to put up 25.6 per game despite averaging just 329.3 yards per contest. They have been without A.J. Green in recent weeks due to a toe injury and he is not expected to play today either. Green has 687 receiving yards and six touchdowns this year. Tyler Boyd is stepping up in his place. He has 56 catches for 756 yards and five scores. Andy Dalton has thrown for 2,466 yards and 10 touchdowns this year with 10 interceptions while Joe Mixon has 584 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Browns seek back-to-back wins
The Cleveland Browns put an end to a four-game losing streak two weeks ago with a 28-16 win at home over the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns are now 3-6-1 overall, 6-4 against the spread and 5-5 with the over/under total. They have covered the spread in two of their last four.
Cleveland has been one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL this season. They rank 25th in points allowed (26.3 ppg) and 31st in total defense (419.7 ypg). Their passing defense is 30th, allowing 287.6 yards per game. When it comes to offense, Cleveland is putting up 21.8 points and 355.4 yards per game. Rookie QB Baker Mayfield has thrown for 1,984 yards and 13 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Rookie RB Nick Chubb has picked up the production since being named a starter, as he now has 579 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Jarvis Landry is the leading receiver with 57 catches for 600 yards and two scores.
NFL Betting Trends
Cincinnati
The Bengals are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 conference games and 5-1 ATS in their last six in the division.
Cleveland
The Browns are 1-10 against the spread in their last 11 games on fieldturf and 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games following a bye.
Prediction:
This is a tough call, as the Browns seem to have a chip on their shoulder still and are trying to prove themselves while the Bengals look largely lifeless. Still, the Bengals have had a pretty tough schedule over their last four losses as well, playing the Ravens, Saints, Chiefs and Steelers. A chance to face a questionable Cleveland team could lift their game today. The Browns should be game to make this interesting, but I still can’t trust them to win close road games.
NFL Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals -1
Related: Browns vs. Bengals Total Prediction