Cincinnati (2-4) will face Cleveland (1-5) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT, with the match airing on CBS. The betting odds from BetMGM suggest that Cincinnati is favored by 4.5 points. Looking at their performance against the spread, Cincinnati stands at 3-3, while Cleveland is 2-4 overall. Historically, the Bengals hold a slight edge in this rivalry, leading the series 53-48. Their most recent encounter resulted in a Bengals victory with a score of 31-14 on January 7 in Cincinnati.
In their previous games, the Bengals secured a win against the Giants, ending 17-7, while the Browns were narrowly defeated by the Eagles with a score of 20-16.
This season, the Bengals’ offense ranks 12th overall, with a dismal rushing attack at 26th, a strong passing game at 7th, and scoring sitting at 10th. On the defensive side, they rank 23rd overall, 28th against the rush, 14th against the pass, and 26th in scoring. In contrast, the Browns find themselves at the bottom of the league in offensive stats, ranking 32nd in overall offense, rushing, passing, and scoring. However, their defense ranks moderately higher, at 15th overall, 21st against the run, 11th against the pass, and 19th in scoring. The turnover differential shows no change for the Bengals, while the Browns are slightly in the negative, at minus-1.
For the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow has been a standout, known for his ability to improvise when facing pressure from the offensive line. His performance last week featured a remarkable 47-yard touchdown run, and he’s completing passes at a 71.6% rate with 12 touchdowns to date, earning him a commendable 75.1 passer rating, the second-best in the league.
On the Browns’ side, quarterback Deshaun Watson returns home under considerable scrutiny following a series of disappointing performances during the team’s three-week road trip, which resulted in three losses. Watson has struggled to meet expectations, contributing to the team’s struggles that have seen them fail to surpass 20 points or achieve 300 total yards in any game this season. There is ongoing discussion among fans and analysts about the potential for Watson to be benched, but the team seems committed to giving him more chances.
As for the key matchup, Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown and rookie right tackle Amarius Mims will have their hands full against Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. The outcome of the game could heavily depend on whether Garrett can disrupt Burrow, who has already been sacked 15 times this season. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has given Garrett the flexibility to attack from either side, and he may relish the opportunity to target a rookie in this crucial matchup. Burrow has yet to secure a win in three attempts at Cleveland, adding pressure to an already challenging situation.
Injury reports indicate that for the Bengals, Burrow was previously evaluated for a concussion but was cleared to play against the Giants. However, cornerback Dax Hill is out for the season due to a knee injury, while cornerback D.J. Turner has been limited with an ankle issue. On the Browns’ side, the offensive line has faced fresh adversity with backup center Nick Harris suffering a broken leg. He was substituting for starter Ethan Pocic, who could make a return against the Bengals. Additionally, running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) and safety Ronnie Hickman (ankle) are likely to be sidelined.
Historically, the rivalry known as the Battle of Ohio has favored the Browns in recent years, as evidenced by a 9-3 record against the Bengals in their last 12 meetings. Cleveland has maintained a robust home advantage against Cincinnati, winning six consecutive games at home. Since 2017, the Browns have dominated the season series.
Examining season stats, although the Bengals have had a rocky start, Burrow has excelled, leading the league with a 110.3 passer rating. Despite a challenging performance against the Giants, where he threw for only 208 yards and was sacked four times, Burrow still managed to lead the team in rushing yards with 55. While he has struggled historically against the Browns, only managing one win in six games, he has been supported by star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who together recorded 12 catches for 149 yards last week.
The Bengals have played more matchups against the Browns than any other team in their history except for Pittsburgh. As the season progresses, they currently sit at 396 all-time regular-season wins, with two of their losses this year coming on the final play of the game. The Bengals’ defense put forth its best effort last week, limiting the Giants to just 190 passing yards. Remarkably, the highest-scoring matches in Bengals history were against the Browns, featuring games with combined scores topping 100 points.
In fantasy football considerations, Tee Higgins is a player to watch as he seems to be on the verge of a breakout performance. With defensive schemes often focusing on Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins presents a favorable target for Burrow in what could be a crucial matchup for Cincinnati.