Cincinnati vs Cleveland NFL Football Spread/Handicapping
The battle of Ohio could be better than expected this season. The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to contend for the AFC North division lead and after last week’s resilient win over Green Bay may be a true contender in the conference as well.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Sunday September 29
FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, OH
1:00PM
Moneyline: Cincinnati -190, Cleveland +165
Spread: Cincinnati -4
O/U: 42.5
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Their in-state brothers the Cleveland Browns may have pulled off a shocking trade last week but they have not lost since (I know small sample) and appear to be a team on the rise.
A win this weekend would not only even both of these teams up record wise but it would also send a message that the days of kicking the Browns while they are down may be over. I am not sure I am ready to buy that story just yet.
Cincinnati
The Bengals were the winners of a wild one last Sunday. They jumped out to a nice lead against Green Bay, frittered it away by giving up 30 straight points, and then ultimately won the game on a fumble recovery.
It is not exactly the best formula but it worked. This week against Cleveland they will be looking to push their winning streak to three games.
I am sure that the Bengals remember losing at Cleveland last year, a game in which they outgained the Browns by more than 100 yards. For Cincy it is simple, they are the more talented team so as long as they don’t shoot themselves in the foot they should prevail.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
In that 10 point loss QB Andy Dalton threw three picks, negating the nearly 400 yards they gained through the air. The Bengals can’t let up even though they are on a roll. Division games are always fun.
Cleveland
Despite what we saw last week I am not convinced that QB Brian Hoyer is the answer to all the Browns’ problems. Often when a backup quarterback is elevated he is afforded the opportunity to take some chances so if he has any talent at all he can look pretty good for a little while, but there is a reason he was the backup to Brandon Weeden in Cleveland.
If the Browns are going to take a step forward this year it will be because of their defense which has been pretty good so far thanks to some offseason acquisitions. Last week they limited the mighty Adrian Peterson to just 88 yards forcing Vikings QB Christian Ponder to beat them. He didn’t! In a road game with nothing to lose due to their QB change the Browns got the win.
I don’t want to minimize the effort or the accomplishment but this team is not exactly a threat just yet.
Spread Pick: Cleveland -4
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Cincinnati 31 – Cleveland 20
