by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, January 4, 2026
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Browns +7.5, Bengals -7.5; Over/Under: 44.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Browns +7.5, Bengals -7.5; Over/Under: 44.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Browns +7.5, Bengals -7.5; Over/Under: 44.5 points
Season Record
Cleveland Browns: 4-12 (4th place, AFC North)
Cincinnati Bengals: 6-10 (3rd place, AFC North)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Nelly’s Sports is on a HOT STREAK in the NFL on a 15-5-1 NFL RUN for +$9,430 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Cleveland Browns: won their last game at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6.
Cincinnati Bengals: won their last game at home against the Arizona Cardinals 37-14.
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals Preview and Analysis
The Browns are entering this game with a 4-12 record overall and they have a 1-4 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-5 in their home games, 1-6 in their road games, and they are also 0-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6. Shedeur Sanders was the starting QB and he completed 17/23 passes for 186 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Dylan Sampson led the team in rushing yards with 27. Jerry Jeudy led the receivers with 54 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Grant Delpit led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Grant Delpit and Alex Wright each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Bengals are entering this game with a 6-10 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-5 in their home games, 3-5 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Arizona Cardinals 37-14. Joe Burrow was the starting QB and he completed 24/31 passes for 305 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Chase Brown led the team in rushing yards with 101 and 2 TDs. Ja'Marr Chase led the receivers with 60 receiving yards on 7 receptions and 2 TDs. Myles Murphy led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Myles Murphy, Tedarrell Slaton, Cedric Johnson, and Shemar Stewart each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Browns vs Bengals Prediction
The current betting odds have the Bengals listed as a 7.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Bengals haven't looked good in their games this season with their 6-10 record overall which has them right near the bottom of the AFC North. They haven't looked great on their home field either with their 3-5 home record this year. Meanwhile, the Browns have looked terrible in their games this season with their 4-12 record overall which has them right at the bottom of the AFC North. They have been a terrible road team too with their 1-6 road record this season. Neither of these teams have anything to play for in this game, but the Bengals do have some momentum on their side and will be looking to close out the season strong. They have won 2 games in a row now and they are off a 37-14 win over the Cardinals in their last one. Their offense has been rolling in their games lately, putting up a ton of points, but their defense has not been good this year. That won't be much of an issue though since this Browns offense has been terrible this season, and they are missing a lot of starters too. Shedeur has shown some flashes and the Browns are off a 13-6 win over the Steelers in their last one, but they put all of their energy into winning that last home game and possibly spoiling the Steelers season if they lose this week. They aren't going to have anything left for the Bengals in this meaningless game so look for the Bengals to roll them as Burrow and the offense continue to click. The best way to place a bet here is on the Bengals to cover the spread in this game.
Browns Bengals Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, January 4, 2026 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Bengals 38 Browns 13.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Cleveland Browns Cincinnati Bengals prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NFL predictions and previews.
NFL Betting Trends
Cleveland Browns: 6-19 ATS in road games. 0-7 ATS in a road game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 1-7 ATS after allowing 14 points or less last game. 16-9 OVER in road games. 12-5 OVER after scoring 14 points or less last game.
Cincinnati Bengals: 11-5 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 6-0 ATS after a win by 14 or more points. 7-2 ATS vs. poor teams - outscored by 6+ points per game on the season. 12-6 OVER as a home favorite. 12-3 OVER in a home game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points.
Key Injuries
Cleveland Browns: H. Fannin Jr. (TE) Questionable - Groin. D. Gabriel (QB) Questionable - Shoulder. J. Bitonio (OG) Injured - NIR - Rest. D. Njoku (TE) Out - Knee. R. Jenkins (S) Injured - Ankle. D. Ward (CB) Injured - Calf. W. Teller (OG) Questionable - Calf. T. Jenkins (OG) Injured - Shoulder. T. Campbell (CB) Injured - Shoulder. S. Kamara (DL) Questionable - Elbow. M. Harden (CB) Questionable - Shoulder. W. Reid (LB) Out - Back. B. Bates (TE) Injured - Ankle. M. Hall Jr. (DL) Injured - Illness. D. Sampson (RB) Questionable - Hand. C. Schwesinger (LB) Injured - Ankle. S. Sanders (QB) Injured - Finger. M. Graham (DL) Injured - Rib.
Cincinnati Bengals: J. Newton (CB) Questionable - Hamstring. B. Hill (DL) Questionable - Ankle. C. Jones (WR) Out - Ankle. N. Fant (TE) Questionable - Ankle. J. Ossai (DL) Out - Ankle. P. Jules (S) Injured - Ankle. M. Lee (C) Out - Knee. C. Grandy (TE) Out - Chest.
Notable Quotes
"I mean, you saw him in 2023, right? We had five different quarterbacks start games or six or however many it was. And then the last two years, it's been a rotation of quarterbacks. And we're working. We have a couple young rookie quarterbacks that are playing and showing promise. But until that quarterback position is solved in the NFL, it is hard to win games.” - Joel Bitonio on Kevin Stefanski.
“He's playing like I know Joe to play. It's fun to watch. We all just want to finish the season the right way.” - Zac Taylor after his team’s win against the Cardinals in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Cleveland Browns
WR Jeudy, Jerry
WR Tillman, Cedric
WR Bond, Isaiah
TE Fannin Jr., Harold
QB Sanders, Shedeur
RB Sanders, Raheim
Cincinnati Bengals
WR Chase, Ja'Marr
WR Higgins, Tee
WR Iosivas, Andrei
TE Gesicki, Mike
QB Burrow, Joe
RB Brown, Chase
Statistical Leaders
Cleveland Browns
Passing: Shedeur Sanders (1,289)
Rushing: Quinshon Judkins (827)
Receiving: Harold Fannin Jr. (731)
Touchdowns: Quinshon Judkins (7)
Cincinnati Bengals
Passing: Joe Flacco (1,664)
Rushing: Chase Brown (947)
Receiving: Ja'Marr Chase (1,316)
Touchdowns: Tee Higgins (10)
Coaches:
Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski (6th season)
Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor (7th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
