Our Browns vs. Bengals prediction takes a look at the Week 14 matchup that features a strong AFC North rivalry.
Let’s examine the current sports betting odds, key storylines to watch, and make a prediction for the game. Note that all odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Monday, Dec. 5.
Browns vs. Bengals Odds | Week 14
- Spread
Bengals -6 - Moneyline
Bengals -250, Browns +210 - Over/Under
47.5 points
Browns vs. Bengals Prediction
The big storyline for the Cleveland Browns coming off of last week’s game is going to be the performance of Deshaun Watson. With how much draft capital and money the Browns invested in Watson, he needed to put together a strong performance in his first game in over 700 days to instill confidence that the organization made the correct decision and he simply did not succeed.
Against his former team, Watson completed just 54% of his passes for 131 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. If the defense had not stepped up for the Browns, they legitimately may have lost to the 1-9-1 Houston Texans last week.
MORE: Deshaun Watson Fails To Ignite Offense in Browns Debut
Watson hadn’t played in a very long time, so expectations shouldn’t have been for him to immediately return to playing like a top-5 NFL QB. However, the Browns are going to need him more this week against a Bengals defense that just held Patrick Mahomes to 223 passing yards and only one touchdown.
The key for Cleveland to pull off an upset this week is dependent upon Watson looking like the QB that he was back in 2020. This Bengals defense is stout and they are going to make Watson pay if he makes mistakes as he did in Week 13 against Houston. If he can be more accurate with the football, make quicker decisions, and get the ball into the hands of his playmakers, Cleveland has a chance of keeping this one close.
As for the Bengals, they have now won six out of their last seven games and are absolutely on a roll right now. They were able to come away with the victory over Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and now they turn their attention to their division rival in Cleveland.
It’s worth noting that the only loss that the Bengals have in that aforementioned time frame is to the Browns back on Halloween. A lot’s changed since that point, but the entire Cincinnati offense fell flat in that performance, and they just totaled 13 points.
MORE: NFL Predictions For Every Week 14 Game
Ja’Marr Chase is back in the lineup for the Bengals, though, and provided them with a spark in Week 13. Joe Mixon is expected to clear the concussion protocol this week as well, and he should receive a significant workload against the defense that’s allowing 127.4 rushing yards per game this season.
The key for Cincinnati to continue their win streak in this game is to contain the Browns’ rushing attack. With their dynamic RB duo, Cleveland is averaging the 4th most rushing yards per game this season, and they’re going to look to lean on them to take pressure off of Watson in just his second game back.
Slow down Nick Chubb, and the Bengals should easily walk away with a victory here.
Browns vs. Bengals Prediction
Bengals 27, Browns 20
