Cleveland (3-11) at Cincinnati (6-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Bengals favored by 7.
Against the spread: Browns 4-10, Bengals 8-6.
Series record: Bengals lead the rivalry 54-48.
Last meeting: Bengals triumphed over the Browns 21-14 on October 20 in Cleveland.
Recent performances: The Chiefs defeated the Browns 21-7, while the Bengals secured a win against the Titans, 37-27.
Browns’ offensive stats indicate they rank 23rd overall, 29th in rushing, 15th in passing, and 30th in points scored. On the defensive side, they rank 18th overall, 23rd against the run, 11th against the pass, and 26th in scoring defense. Meanwhile, the Bengals excel offensively, placing 10th overall, 30th in rushing, first in passing, and 25th in scoring. Their defense, however, struggles, landing 29th overall, 20th against the run, 27th against the pass, and 31st in scoring defense. The turnover differential is also concerning, with the Browns at minus-16 and the Bengals at plus-2.
For the Browns, eyes will be on quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. After a series of turnovers led to Jameis Winston being benched—he threw eight interceptions over his last three games—the Browns are giving Thompson-Robinson another shot. He started three games last season before a concussion cut his rookie campaign short in Week 12. This game offers him a chance to show the franchise that he could be part of the solution in their ongoing search for stability at the quarterback position.
On the Bengals side, quarterback Joe Burrow is arguably having the best season of his career, showcasing his talent despite the team’s record. Last week against the Titans, he threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns. As they head into Week 16, Burrow leads the NFL in completions, attempts, passing yards, and touchdowns. Notably, he has thrown at least three touchdown passes in each of his last six games.
A significant matchup to watch will be between Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. Both are standout players in their positions. Although they may not face off on every play, their direct encounters will be crucial and appealing to observe. Earlier in the season, Chase caught five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown against the Browns.
In terms of injuries, the Browns will miss tight end David Njoku (hamstring), cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (concussion), and defensive tackle Shelby Harris (elbow), who all missed practice this week. Additionally, running back Nick Chubb suffered a broken foot and is out for the season. The Bengals are dealing with defensive end Sam Hubbard, who is out with a knee injury, while guard Alex Cappa is in concussion protocol and is questionable for Sunday.
The historical context of the series indicates that the Browns have had recent success, winning nine of the last 12 “Battle of Ohio” matchups. Before losing to Cincinnati in October, the Browns had a six-game home winning streak against the Bengals and retain a favorable all-time record at home (30-21) against them. The Browns have not lost the season series to the Bengals since 2017, but prior to that streak, Cincinnati enjoyed a dominant run winning seven straight out of 15 games.
Statistics reveal that the Browns’ struggles last week included six turnovers—four interceptions and two fumbles. Thompson-Robinson took the field after Winston was benched following his third interception. The rookie quarterback, a fifth-round pick from UCLA, has recorded one touchdown and seven interceptions in limited play. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has emerged as a reliable target, recording a career-high 11 catches for 108 yards last week, also marking his first season with over 1,000 receiving yards. Defensive end Myles Garrett, a crucial player for the Browns, was kept without a sack in their last outing, managing 99.5 career sacks, with 12 of those against Cincinnati. Ward, leading the league with 19 passes defensed, has also scored two touchdowns in his encounters with the Bengals, including an impressive 99-yard interception return in 2021. Kicker Dustin Hopkins will return to the lineup after struggling recently.
For the Bengals, the pressure is on as they cling to faint playoff hopes and cannot afford another defeat. Earlier this season, their defense held the Browns to a mere 77 rushing yards. Chase, in pursuit of a receiving triple crown, accumulates impressive statistics, with 102 catches for 1,413 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Bengals faced challenges in their last game, recording three turnovers and suffering 14 penalties gaining only 113 total yards. Strikingly, all of the Bengals’ six victories this season have been against teams with losing records, and seven out of their eight losses have been by a narrow margin. Kicker Cade York, a former Browns draft choice, has successfully converted three field goals since being promoted to replace the injured Evan McPherson. Also, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson leads the Bengals in sacks with 12.5.
Fantasy managers should take note of Bengals running back Chase Brown, who rushed for 97 yards on 25 carries and found the end zone against the Titans. Although he has had only one game outperforming that this season, he has stepped into the role of the team’s primary back, gaining their trust in crucial short-yardage situations, currently averaging 4.4 yards per carry.