by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Nov 04, 2021
Game time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bengals -2.5
BetMGM: Bengals -3
Caesars: Bengals -2.5
Season record
Browns: 4-4 (Last place, AFC North)
Bengals: 5-3 (2nd place, AFC North)
Sean Murphy nailed his AFC South Total of the Year last Sunday in a game featuring the same Colts that will host the Jets on Thursday Night Football! Don't even consider making a move on this primetime AFC showdown before checking in with Murph first. Catch Sean’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Browns - Bengals preview and analysis
Last week
Browns: lost 15-10 vs. Steelers
Bengals: lost 34-31 at Jets
One week after staking their claim as a top team in the AFC only to be humiliated by a man named Mike White, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to bounce back when they host the Cleveland Browns at home on Sunday.
The Bengals went from making a statement against the division rival Baltimore Ravens, to laying perhaps the biggest egg of the season against the New York Jets. But it wasn’t just the fact the Bengals lost to the Jets, on the road, and failed to put up some more ground in the AFC North.
The Bengals of Cincinnati lost to the Jets … with their backup quarterback. A gentleman by the name of Mike White has his jersey in Canton because of the absurdity he put forth in MetLife Stadium on Sunday. White, who by all accounts is probably a wonderful man, thew for 405 yards and three touchdowns on the Bengals’ defense and outperformed Joe Burrow.
And Burrow was efficient as he has been all season with 259 yards and three touchdowns; the three-touchdown game was his third straight as well as a quarterback rating of at least 100.
Narrative remains the greatest thing ever in sports, but the Jets are their own chapter.
"It's a wakeup call, for sure," Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard said. "Any team can beat anybody on any given Sunday. We learned that today. It's a valuable lesson that won't be forgotten."
So perhaps try doing that in this divisional matchup against a Browns team that’s moving forward without Odell Beckham Jr. and has a banged-up running game. The good news appears that leading rusher Nick Chubb appears to be returning after missing the past two games.
They’re already going to be down Kareem Hunt for what’s likely to be the rest of the season, but it’s a welcomed addition for Baker Mayfield after Cleveland scored only 10 points against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mayfield tends to play at his best against the Bengals. In the last meeting, Mayfield threw a career-high five touchdown passes while posting 297 yards. This offense is far from what it was last season with a .500 team, but there’s still hope in this crowded division. Just ask the Steelers.
Prediction
I don’t expect this line to move much as the week progresses, but I think the Bengals at home are a good play here. Chubb’s return will help the time of possession and open up the play-action, but this will be the first time we see Burrow get an opportunity to rebound after an upset loss. I say he delivers. Bengals by 8
Betting trends
The Browns are 2-10 ATS in the past three seasons in games Weeks 5-9.
The Bengals are 19-8 ATS over the past 30 seasons after allowing 350 passing yards or more in the previous game.
The Bengals are 1-5 ATS the past three years when outgained by 150 yards or more the previous week.
Players to watch
Browns: It’s officially the Jarvis Landry show in Cleveland. He’s coming a five-reception game against the Steelers for 65 yards.
Bengals: Tyler Boyd has turned into the go-to target while defenses try to figure out how to contain Ja’Marr Chase. Boyd had five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown last week; the last time he faced the Browns, he had 11 receptions for 101 and a touchdown.
Statistical leaders
Browns:
Passing: Baker Mayfield -- 1,699 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Nick Chubb -- 584 yards, 4 TD
Receiving: David Njoku -- 323 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Myles Garrett -- 10.5 sacks
Bengals:
Passing: Joe Burrow -- 2,215 yards, 20 TD, 9 INT
Rushing: Joe Mixon -- 572 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Ja’Marr Chase -- 786 yards, 7 TD
Defense: Trey Hendrickson -- 7.5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
