The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Cleveland Browns as winless Ohio teams meet Thursday night. While the matchup may not be compelling due to the teams’ recent history, it presents the opportunity to watch Heisman winners Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow go head-to-head.
| Game: CIN vs CLE
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, OH Time: 8:20 PM ET Television: NFL Network |
NFL Betting Lines
Moneyline: Browns -245 | Bengals +205
The moneyline in the sportsbook for this game has the Browns favored. They’re fresh off a loss in Week 1 after getting blown out by the Baltimore Ravens 38-6. They’ll be expected to take care of business in Week 2 as the Cincinnati Bengals are not in the same league as Baltimore, although they are in the AFC North, which is the same division. While the Ravens went 14-2 last season, the Bengals were 2-14.
Pick: Browns to win
Point Spread: Browns -6
If you’re betting the point spread – or any other NFL odds for this game – you’ll want to keep an eye on the Odell Beckham Jr. situation. Reports surfaced on Tuesday that the wide receiver is on the trade block as he simply hasn’t been a fit or a difference-maker for the Browns.
The Browns should get back on track in this one if they rely on their ground game. The Bengals gave up 155 yards rushing to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1, so this looks like it could be a good spot for Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and the Browns ground get to really get going.
Pick: Browns to cover
Over/Under: 43½ points
The total is fairly low at 43.5 points. Both offenses looked like they were stuck in the mud in Week 1 and the oddsmakers appear to be expecting the same in Week 2. The Browns should do most of the scoring here – especially with the Bengals now having kicker issues. Look for this game to stay under the number.
Pick: Under 43½
Final Score: Cleveland 24, Cincinnati 14
Props Talk for Bengals at Browns
Now that we’ve taken a look at the spread, moneyline, and total, let’s take a closer look at the variety of NFL props available for this game and see if we can find some value.
Race To 10 Points: Browns -220
Taking a look at the options to get to 10 points first, the Browns look like the right play. They were flattened in Week 1 because they had to play from behind and had to abandon their running game. They should be in better control in Game 2.
Longest Field Goal Over/Under 45½
Under figures to be the way to go with this prop. Bengals starting kicker Randy Bullock has injuries to both calves and he missed a game-tying chip shot last week at home against the Chargers. He’s hard to trust. As for the Browns, they were so displeased with Austin Seibert’s kicking in Week 1 (he missed a field goal and an extra point) that they cut him outright and brought in Cody Parkey, who you surely remember from the Bears’ playoff loss to the Eagles after the 2018 season. The Bengals actually brought him in. With both teams experiencing kicking issues, under looks like the way to go.
Nick Chubb Rushing Yards: Over
We’re still early in the week, so the player props aren’t all posted but once they’re up, take Nick Chubb over his rushing yardage total. Chubb had 106 rushing yards on 15 carries in his first meeting with Cincinnati last season and he should be over the century mark again.
