Bengals vs. Browns Prediction & Picks: The Battle of Ohio

The wind’s getting a little bit colder, and the sun’s setting just a little bit earlier. As one season ends, another begins; FOOTBALL SEASON.

The Browns enter this season, hoping for a better result than last year. Deshaun Watson will be under center to start the year, now with a full training camp under his belt.

For Cincinnati, it was the offensive line that really held them back.

The Bengals were an abysmal 1-4 in games Burrow was sacked 4+ times, including the playoffs; and the Bengals only lost 5 total games (incl. playoffs).

Football is back, let’s get into it.

Bengals vs. Browns Game Information

Matchup Information

• Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium; Cleveland, Ohio
• Date: September 10th, 2023
• Time: 1:00 PM EST

Betting Odds

Courtesy of Bovada

Spread

• Bengals -2.5 (-110)
• Browns +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Bengals (-140)
• Browns (+120)

Total

• Over 48.5 (-110)
• Under 48.5 (-110)

Bengals vs. Browns Breakdown & Best Bets

No love lost between these two in-state rivals. Expect some hard hitting football down in Ohio this weekend.

Last year the Bengals had almost zero success trying to protect Burrow, and they still found a way to win 14 games (incl. playoffs), eventually losing in the AFC Championship.

So what did the Bengals do this off-season? They went out and signed former Chief, OT Orlando Brown Jr. They’re hoping the addition of Brown will help keep Joe Shiesty off the turf and in the huddle.

The Browns on the other hand, went out and added ANOTHER monster to their defensive line, DE Za’darius Smith. Yeah, let’s not forget about Myles Garrett.

Thats 69 combined tackles, and 26 sacks between their two defensive ends. Intimidating, to say the least.

Ja’Marr Chase o75.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Ja’Marr Chase had 81 receptions on 128 targets his rookie year, he averaged 85.6 YPG and scored 13 TDs; having played in all 17 games.

Last year he had 87 receptions on 134 targets, averaged 87.2 YPG and scored 9 TDs; he only played 12 games last year.

By all metrics, Ja’Marr took that next step towards being a top three wideout last year. His volume went up, but so did his numbers.

Ja’Marr also averaged 90.5 YPG in Bengals wins; and 96 YPG with 8.8 rec/game vs divisional opponents.

#JoeBurrow back throwing 🎯‘s to his boy #JamarrChase!!
You love to see it.
My QB2 & WR1 in my rankings. See link in X profile!#NFL #Bengals #RuleTheJungle #DynastyFootball #FantasyFootball

pic.twitter.com/DvN9JbAUbT

— NFLDynastyX (@NFLDynastyX) August 31, 2023

Ja’Marr’s played just three games vs the Browns in his two year career, and just two games with Burrow.

In these two games, he saw 13 + 15 targets, pulled in 16 receptions and averaged 84 yards/game. He ate up 22% of the Bengals’ targets last season, and guys like Higgins/Boyd only do more to open up the field.

We witnessed Justin Jefferson make that leap in his third year, going from 95 YPG to 105 YPG. It’s not crazy to expect a similar type jump for Ja’Marr this year, AND he’s got Joe Shiesty under center.

Amari Cooper o56.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Last season, despite Watson just playing in six of the Browns’ games; Cooper averaged 68.2 YPG, recording 1,160 yards, 78 receptions and scoring 9 TDs.

Cooper also had a 24.6% target share, good enough for 13th in the league, and recorded a career high in targets (132), on a run-first Browns team.

Last year in Watson’s solo game vs the Bengals, we saw Amari Cooper record 2 catches on 7 targets for just 49 yards.

That was also just Watson’s second game back since January 1st, 2020; the rust showed. He played six games with Watson last season, averaging 6.5 targets and 61.3 YPG.

Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper, touchdown. #Browns pic.twitter.com/G5StL8CSrC

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 20, 2023

Bengals top cornerback, Chidobe Awuzie, seems like he’s on track to play Sunday.

Despite his return to the lineup, the Bengals still lost both their free safeties this off-season in addition to Eli Apple.

They’ll now be relying on new faces like sophomore Dax Hill, and Nick Scott (Rams) to help over the top; with another second year CB in Cam-Taylor Britt.

Lots of potential in this Bengals secondary, but with all the new/young faces, it feels like Cooper could be in prime position for a big game.

Bonus Play: J. Chase & A. Cooper 1+ Anytime TD Each (+600)

Don’t go crazy, but it wouldn’t be surprising if both guys found the Endzone in Week 1. No more than a quarter unit. Big love, Football’s back.

Odds Via Bovada Touchdown Scorer Parlays

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— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) September 5, 2023

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