Bengals vs Browns: The Battle of Ohio
The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns will open the 2023 season with a Week 1 clash. NFL odds for Week 1 have this matchup with one of the lowest point spreads of the opening weekend.
The Bengals hope to take the next step after losing in the AFC Championship last season. They have yet to capture their first Super Bowl with one of the league’s best young cores led by quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Browns could make a leap with quarterback Deshaun Watson ready to play in his first full season since 2020. Here’s what to know about the Cincinnati and Cleveland collision.
Bengals-Browns has been dubbed as the Battle of Ohio by many. This AFC North rivalry has a long history dating back to 1970. Week 1’s matchup will be the 100th meeting between the two, creating an exciting storyline. Cincinnati leads the series 52-47. However, Cleveland has gotten the best of the Bengals in recent years, winning 8 of the last 10 matchups.
Key Matchups and Factors for Week 1 Clash
Cincinnati has put together perhaps its best back-to-back seasons in franchise history with two AFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl appearance. Yet, the Browns are 3-1 in the series over the last two years. They also won by an average margin of 16.3 points in the three wins. How has Cleveland done it?
The Browns have consistently gotten great quarterback play in this series, which is quite ironic when that has been an issue for decades. Baker Mayfield had some of the best games of his career, including 297 passing yards and five touchdowns in the 37-34 win on Oct. 25 of 2020. Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett shined in last season’s 32-13 trouncing of the Bengals on Halloween.
Cincy snapped its five-game losing streak against Cleveland with a 23-10 win on Dec. 11, 2022. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had his best game against the Browns with 119 receiving yards.
In his previous two appearances, the Browns’ cornerback Denzel Ward had his way, holding Chase to under 50 receiving yards in both games. The Bengals also had success on the ground at 5.2 yards per carry. Cleveland made an effort to upgrade its run defense in the offseason with the addition of defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and rookie Siaki Ika.
For Week 1’s matchup, Cincinnati is favored by NFL lines for the third consecutive meeting. The Browns are 2-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last three games as underdogs in the matchup. The Bengals have struggled in FirstEnergy Stadium, losing five straight games. Cleveland is only 3-2 ATS in its last five home games against Cincy, though.
Several matchups stand out as factors that could decide the Week 1 clash. Cincinnati has dealt with offensive line issues for several seasons, leading to success for the Browns’ superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett. He has 8 sacks and 10 tackles for loss over the last five meetings. The Bengals will be debuting their upgraded offensive line that features four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Garrett’s performance will have a big impact on who covers NFL odds.
The Chase and Ward matchup will be key once again. When Chase has been held to under 50 receiving yards, Cleveland is 2-0. The Browns’ defensive tackle play will also be vital after the group struggled in the last matchup. Will Cleveland get excellent quarterback play once again?
Watson was shaky in his first appearance in the rivalry. Watson’s play in the upcoming season will be one of the most intriguing storylines in the NFL. He was one of the league’s best quarterbacks before off-the-field problems. Will Watson return to that level in the 2023 season? It begins with Week 1 against Cincy.
Recent Betting Trends and Anticipated Excitement
Recent betting trends suggest Watson could be in store for a strong outing. The over is 5-3 in the last eight matchups. According to the sportsbook, this clash also has one of the highest projected totals of Week 1.
The Bengals-Browns should be one of the best games of the opening weekend, backed by intriguing storylines and rich history. Which side will prevail in online NFL betting?
