Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 11/07/2021

Game time: 1 p.m. ET

Venue: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Where to watch: CBS

DraftKings: Bengals -2.5

BetMGM: Bengals -3

Caesars: Bengals -2.5

Browns: 4-4 (Last place, AFC North)

Bengals: 5-3 (2nd place, AFC North)

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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