The Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns both look to get their first win of the season, as they square off at First Energy Stadium in Cleveland. This matchup will also feature two Heisman Trophy winners as starting quarterbacks in Bengals rookie Joe Burrow and Browns signal-caller Baker Mayfield. Check out our preview of this game below.
Joe Burrow’s first official game in the pros didn’t go the way he would have wanted it, as the Bengals lost to the LA Chargers, 16-13, on the road last Sunday. Burrow finished the game with 193 passing yards on 23-of-36 completions. He threw an interception and is still waiting to score his first touchdown in the NFL. Burrow had a hard time dealing with the Chargers’ pass rush, as he was sacked three times for a loss of 20 yards. Against the Browns this coming Thursday, Burrow could have more success, given that his feet are finally wet and that the Browns’ defense looked out of sorts in Week 1. AJ Green and Tyler Boyd, who combined for just 84 receiving yards in Week 1 could be better in Week 2 opposite the Browns’ defense that allowed the Baltimore Ravens to go 6 for 11 on third downs.
The Bengals are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 meetings with the Browns, including last year’s 33-23 road home win against Baker Mayfield and crew.
The Browns are still…the Browns. It’s fair to say that after seeing how Cleveland went by its business in Week 1, and it’s by getting blown out by the Ravens, 38-6, on the road. It’s a frustrating result for the Browns, considering the quality of talent on their roster and the hype that came with it heading into the 2020 NFL season. Mayfield went 21 for 39 for 189 passing yards and a touchdown with an interception (in the very first drive of the game). But one good thing for the Browns in that game was their rushing attack that produced 138 rushing yards on 27 attempts. Kareem Hunt rushed for 72 yards while Nick Chubb had 60 rushing yards. The two could have done more but the Browns were behind early and had to pass the ball more as they looked to catch up on Baltimore. Unlike the Bengals, the Browns were bad in converting their third downs (3-12). With guys like Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. downfield and Chubb and Hunt in the backfield, the onus is really on Mayfield (and the Browns’ offensive line) to make things happen on offense. Cleveland’s offense has a chance to break out against the Bengals this Thursday.
The Browns are 3-1 against the spread in their last four home games.
