Browns vs. Bengals Spread Prediction
Baker Mayfield and the Browns extracted some “revenge” on former head coach Hue Jackson a few weeks ago when they beat the Bengals in Cincinnati. Now laying 10 points as a home favorite, will the Browns cover again while sweeping their AFC North foes?
Game Snapshot
119 Cincinnati Bengals at 120 Cleveland Browns
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 23
FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Browns are 10-point favorites to beat the Bengals. The total, meanwhile, sits at 44 points. As of this writing, 60% of the public betting tickets are on the Bengals to cover the point spread.
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict (concussion) is questionable for Week 16 against the Browns. Burfict has been out since Week 13 because of a concussion. He got in a full practice Friday, strongly suggesting he is on track to play.
Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield completed 18-of-31 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the Browns’ Week 15 victory over the Broncos. It initially looked as if Baker was going to roll on Denver’s defense, finishing the team’s first possession with a 31-yard grenade to journeyman Breshad Perriman in the end zone. The Broncos put the clamps on after, hitting and keeping Mayfield in check for the rest of the evening. All things considered, Mayfield and the Browns were fortunate to escape this potential letdown spot on the road with a win. Cleveland and Mayfield have flashed real poise, though, and now find themselves in a must-win pivotal divisional matchup with a potential playoff berth at stake against the Bengals in Week 16. Mayfield will be a top-10 play at his position.
NFL Betting Trends
Cincinnati
The Bengals are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven road games and are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 conference games.
Cleveland
The Browns are 5-2 against the number in their last seven home games.
Prediction
The Bengals are decimated on both sides of the ball due to injuries, but they have been for a few weeks now and have remained somewhat competitive. The Browns feel overpriced here. They’re a significantly better team since the dismissal of Jackson but they’re laying 10 points to a division rival that out-gained them a few weeks ago? No thanks. The Bengals are 4-0 against the spread in their last four trips to Cincinnati and 7-1 ATS in their last eight games versus the Browns overall.
NFL Week 16 Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals +10