The first meeting this season between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns was an entertaining high-scoring affair. Burrow had his first good game in the pros in that game, and he’ll be looking to get the Bengals the win this time around. But will the Browns allow that to happen? Check out our preview of this game below.
Baker Mayfield’s health will be a key item to monitor for the Browns this week. The former top-overall pick exited last week’s 38-7 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with an ailing rib. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has already stated that Mayfield will be the team’s starter in Week 7 provided that he’s healthy. If he isn’t, then the Browns will turn to backup Case Keenum, who’s not new to being a starter himself. A couple of seasons ago, he led the Minnesota Vikings in a playoff run. What’s certain is that the Browns will not have Nick Chubb in Week 7 as he continues to heal from an injury, who had 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland’s 35-30 win at home against Cincy in Week 2. Still, the Browns have Kareem Hunt, who’s doing a fantastic job of filling in for Chubb. Hunt had 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in the win over the Bengals. With an increased workload and a bad Cincy bad defense in front of him on Sunday, Hunt should be able to put up a much more productive night in Cincinnati this weekend.
The Browns are 3-1 against the spread in their last four games overall.
Cincinnati suffered a 31-27 road loss last Sunday at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. Joe Burrow passed for over 300 yards again, but wasn’t able to find anyone for a touchdown and was intercepted once. Nevertheless, scoring almost 30 points against one of the best defensive teams in the league is something of a moral victory for the Bengals. Cincinnati is a pass-heavy team that is second in the NFL with 41.0 passes per game, and that plays well to the weak pass defense of the Browns. Cleveland is just 27th in the league with 271.7 passing yards allowed per game. With AJ Green finally showing signs of his vintage self again, Burrow should be able to use the veteran receiver to get back at Cleveland’s defense. Burrow went 37-of-61 for 316 passing yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions against the Browns in Week 2. Green had 96 receiving yards on eight catches against the Colts.
The over is 6-3-1 in the Bengals’ last 10 games overall at home.
