Week 9 Game Preview: Browns at Bengals
AFC North War Zone
The AFC North is a pure war of attrition. Every team could win this division, all 4 teams could finish in any of the 4 spots. It looks like the Ravens are the team most likely to finish top, but, on any given Sunday, one of these teams can show up and beat you.
The Ravens could run right by you, the Steelers could grind you down and wear you out, the Browns could put up 250 yards rushing and beat you by 21 points, the Bengals could pass that ball to Ja’Marr Chase for 210 yards and 2 TDs to put the game out of sight, every Sunday, one of these things is happening with an AFC North team. Today, Browns and Bengals looks like a great match up, even if the Browns are without Kareem Hunt, they are still very productive running the ball, and the slight bumps on the road that the Bengals are facing, they will get ironed out and they will bounce back.
The Bengals have the highest TD percentage/passing attempt in the league, and it’s a big gap to 2nd. They also have twice as many TDs per passing attempt than half the league.
The Browns have twice as many rushing TDs as 20 other teams in the league, and, amazingly, the Browns are running for more yards per game than the Steelers and the Miami Dolphins combined. These are arguably the best scoring passing and rushing teams in the league. So, it’s expected that we are going to see a lot of offence in this game.
The Browns have shed the dead weight also known as Odell Beckham Jr. Now, if Baker Mayfield looks even better without him in the team, you can bet other teams will be worried about what affect Beckham has on their QB if they are to take him on.
With divisional matchups, it’s always harder to figure out how these teams will attack each other, they know their opposition so well, that they see holes in the team that we’ll never see. Given the experience of the Browns staff over the Bengals, the edge has to be with the Browns. They have to figure out how to slow down the Bengals passing game, and keep Ja’Marr Chase in front of your defenders, if Chase gets behind you, it’s going to be 6 points.
Prediction (25-14 through week 8)
This game should be a fun watch, with a fair sprinkle of points and big plays to enjoy. One thing to be wary of, is if one team does get a lead, it’s not over. The Jets hauled back a 14 point deficit to beat the Bengals last year, and the Browns have the best case of the yips you’ll ever see. If ever a team can throw away a 21 point lead in the AFC North, it’s the Browns.
If Mayfield can stay in good down and distance, and the Browns coaching can play to their strengths, then I can see them winning this game and getting back on track to getting a playoff spot. The Bengals have one path to victory that they have been doing well for weeks now, throw to Chase, and throw it to him a lot. Keeping the points turning over is essential, and keep Joe Burrow standing on his own legs. It’s easier said than done, but Burrow to Chase is the only way they can be successful in this game.
Final Score: Browns 34 - 27 Bengals
Tips
Joe Mixon to get an anytime TD for the Bengals is a good price at 11/10, it’s also interesting to see the Browns to win by 1-6 pints is 19/10.