The Cleveland Browns are already in the playoffs, while the Cincinnati Bengals are in “wait until next year” mode.
This is still a rivalry game, though, so will the Browns or Bengals be able to finish their regular season by winning the battle for Ohio?
Browns vs. Bengals Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Bengals -7
- Moneyline: Browns (+270), Bengals (-340)
- Over/Under: 37.5
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Paycor Stadium
- Channel: CBS
Browns vs. Bengals Prediction
This game may not mean much for the Browns and their playoff positioning, but they are certainly ending the season in proper style. They head into this Week 18 matchup winners of four in a row, and with one more win, they will have their most victories in a season since 1986 (12).
Cleveland would also continue its dominance over Cincinnati with a victory Sunday. The Browns are 9-2 in their last 11 games vs. the Bengals. Yes, Cleveland is planning on sitting several starters for this game, including quarterback Joe Flacco and defensive end Myles Garrett.
Under center for the Browns will now be veteran Jeff Driskel, a one-time Bengals quarterback — five of his 11 career starts came with the Bengals in 2018 — last made an appearance with the Houston Texans nearly one year ago (Jan. 8, 2023) and his last start came Christmas Eve in 2022.
The good news is that even when fully healthy, the Bengal’s pass defense has been suspect at best. Cincinnati is last in yards per pass completion at 12.3, and overall, it ranks 29th in pass yards per game allowed (269.6).
Cleveland, which will also sit Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett, probably still has plenty of pride in its defense, which is elite. The Browns have allowed an NFL-best 266.6 total YPG, and they are 7-0 this season in games where they have allowed 250 or fewer total yards.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are wrapping up a disappointing season, with injuries playing a major factor in the direction their season took. But there are still some players with a lot to play for Sunday.
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd, the longest-tenured Bengals player on the roster (this is his eighth season), will probably be playing his final game in Cincinnati. If this is his final game, Boyd could be looking to go out on a high note. He is four catches away from his fourth career 70-reception season.
In addition, defensive end Trey Hendrickson is in a battle for the sacks crown. He enters Sunday with a career-high 17 on the season, which ties him with the Steelers T.J. Watt for the league lead. No Cincinnati player has ever led the NFL in sacks.
In injury news, several Browns players, including Myles Garrett (shoulder/hamstring), wide receiver Amari Cooper (heel), and even kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring), will sit out due to ailments. As mentioned earlier, Flacco will also sit out Week 18.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The Bengals will probably not have wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) available, as he is listed as doubtful. Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder) and Jalen Davis (groin) are listed as questionable.
The Browns, who are one of five teams who have covered the spread at least 10 times this season (10-5-1 ATS), have covered all four games in their current win streak. However, they have covered just once in four games as an underdog (1-2-1 ATS).
Cincinnati, meanwhile, is winless vs. the spread against AFC North opponents (0-5 ATS) and is 2-6 vs. the spread in its last eight games overall.
It would make sense to take the home team in this matchup, with the Browns resting so many players. But I still believe there will be enough players on the field to slow down a Bengals team that managed just 28 total points over their last two games.
Best Bet: Browns +7.0 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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