Game: Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Odds: Bengals -3, Browns +3
Total: 45
On Monday night, the Cincinnati Bengals (4-3 SU, 5-2 ATS) will travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns (2-5, 3-4) in an effort to win their third straight game. The Bengals just trounced the Atlanta Falcons 35-17 at home, while the Browns, who were 6.5-point road underdogs against the Baltimore Ravens, fell 23-20.
The Bengals, the defending AFC champions, are back on track and seem to be among the stronger teams in the conference once more after their victory over Atlanta. The Browns will be attempting to end a four-game losing streak, but they will be 3-point home underdogs. To make matters worse, one of Cleveland’s best offensive players, TE David Njoku, will miss tonight’s game due to a high ankle injury sustained last week.
Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow led the Bengals to a big win over the Falcons last week. After completing 34-of-42 throws for 481 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions; Burrow is now second in the NFL in passing yards. Burrow scored two minutes into the game with a 60-yard touchdown pass to WR Tyler Boyd. He completed two more touchdown passes to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase later in the second quarter to give Cincinnati a dominating 28-7 lead at the intermission.
The running game will be crucial to the Browns’ success. Cleveland rushed the ball 24 times for 113 yards and two scores against the Ravens last week, one each from Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. A two-headed rushing attack from Hunt and Chubb can confound defenders. Hunt could be a problem as the Browns may be looking to trade him.
When Chubb carries the ball more than 19 times a game, the Browns are 2-0 SU and ATS; when he doesn’t, they are 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS. The Browns’ head coach may want to keep that in mind. A strong ground game would also keep the ball away from Burrow and the Cincinnati offense. The Bengals are 3-0 when Burrow throws three or more touchdown passes and 1-3 when he doesn’t.
The Browns will try to slow down the pace on Monday night by using their running game. Cleveland has defeated Cincinnati in four straight games and seven of the previous eight. In those eight games, the Bengals were held to 20 points or fewer five times.
In each of his more than four NFL seasons, Chubb has averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry, and he currently leads the NFL in this category. Chubb is averaging a career-high 5.9 yards per rush through seven games this season.
The Bengals are 5-0 ATS in their last five games and 4-1 SU. Cincy is 12-3 ATS in the last 15 against the Browns. They are 8-1 ATS in their nine road games and 7-1 ATS in their last eight on the road against Cleveland.
The total reached 47 but is now back down to 45. The Over is 7-2-1 in the last ten meetings. The Under is 10-2 in Cincinnati’s last 12 games.
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