The AFC North is turning out to be a fun race this season with all four teams reaching the five-win mark at the halfway point of the season. For both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns, every game counts from this point onward and that starts with their all-important showdown this coming Thursday.
Read on for a complete preview of this matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the Monday Night Football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles here.
[sc:Football ]
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Preview
When: Thursday, November 6, 8:25 PM ET
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Line: Cleveland Browns (+6) at Cincinnati Bengals (-6); total 44.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Cleveland Browns
Don’t look now but the Cleveland Browns are right in the playoff picture after scoring a thrilling 22-17 come-from-behind victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Quarterback Brian Hoyer was the hero for the Browns as he threw the go-ahead touchdown pass with 8:59 remaining to give Cleveland its fifth win in eight games.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Browns are 5-3 for the first time since 2007 and that leaves them just half a game behind Cincinnati for the AFC North lead. That sets it up nicely for their crunch clash this coming Thursday and the Browns will feel confident of getting the desired result because of the ever-improving play of Hoyer.
Ever since starting the season 1-2, Hoyer has bounced back nicely the last five games averaging 259.6 yards per outing with seven touchdowns to power the Browns to a 4-1 slate during that stretch.
In the game against Tampa Bay, the 29-year-old completed 21 of 34 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns with two picks. It was the first time this season that he has breached the 300 passing-yard mark and that will serve him in good stead ahead of their meeting with the Bengals.
Hoyer will fancy his chances of repeating that feat this coming Thursday as the Bengals are one of the worst defensive teams in the league today. They are third-worst in the total defense department in the NFL this season, allowing a whopping 394.9 yards per game.
It definitely wasn’t pretty but the Bengals will take the victory nonetheless as they eked out a sloppy 33-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday to remain in control of the tight AFC North race.
Quarterback Andy Dalton threw a pair of touchdown passes, but also had a pair of interceptions that helped the struggling Jaguars keep the game close. Fortunately for the Bengals, they had Jeremy Hill to answer every rally as the running back sealed the victory with a majestic 60-yard touchdown run in the final quarter to put the outcome beyond doubt.
Hill, who started the game in place of the injured Giovani Bernard, impressed in his first start of the season, running for a career-high 154 yards and two touchdowns. That is a welcome development for the Bengals heading into their game against the Browns as they have another weapon in their midst in case Bernard (hip injury) is still out for that match.
That is crucial since the running game has been a vital part of the Bengals’ offense this season. The Bengals are 12th in the NFL in rushing offense with an average of 121.4 yards per game which accounts for 33.6 percent of their total offense this season.
With that being said, expect the Bengals to punish the Browns with their ground attack. The Browns have the third-worst rushing defense in the league today, allowing an average of 139.6 yards per game this season.
One positive news on the injury front for the Bengals is the return to action of wide receiver A.J. Green. The Pro Bowler had three catches for 44 yards including an 18-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter. His return will further boost their passing game which is 15th best in the NFL this season with an average of 240.2 yards per game.
The Bengals are 4-0-1 SU at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bengals trounce the Browns to complete a sweep of their three-game home stand.
