by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Dec 06, 2022
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bengals -6; Bengals -265, Browns +225; O/U 47
FanDuel: Bengals -6.5; Bengals -290, Browns +235; O/U 47.5
BetMGM: Bengals -6; Bengals -238, Browns +195; O/U 47
Caesars: Bengals -6; Bengals -267, Browns +215; O/U 47
Season record
Browns: 5-7 (3rd place, AFC North)
Bengals: 8-4 (T-1st place, AFC North)
Week 14 is here in the NFL season and things are starting to heat up. Teams you didn’t expect to be in the hunt this late in the season are surely cashing in now, and you’re ready to enjoy the ride, I’m sure. What will this week hold with division races tightening up and playoff races hitting the first quarter mark? One thing you can surely count on is our champion handicappers making things happen. Brian Bitler has been killing it the last 30 days with a 16-8-0 mark. Matt Fargo has been just as efficient over the last month with a 17-10-1 run in the NFL. Both went 4-2-0 this past weekend in what was an entertaining slate of football. You’re going to want to be tuned in to bigal.com to find out what our champion handicappers are doing to get you across the finish line!
Browns - Bengals preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Browns: won 27-14 at Texans
Bengals: won 27-24 vs. Chiefs
Browns analysis
Well, the Cleveland Browns are 1-0 with Deshaun Watson. Even though he quite literally did nothing and it was the defense that propelled the Browns to a 27-14 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. What was meant to be a big day for the Browns, albeit shrouded in controversy, it was the defense and special teams contributing to all three touchdowns — one fumble recovery, one punt return, and one interception — for Cleveland to get its fifth win of the season. Watson finished with 131 yards and an interception on 12 of 22 passing.
"It's not going to be perfect, especially playing December football and it's Week 1 for me," Watson said. "It was fun, though. It was awesome to be out there with my teammates. The defense played a heck of a game. Special teams return was big for us. That's what we needed at the time. It's a team sport."
It’s not going to be a perfect transition for Watson. This offense might not be fully equipped yet to put all his potential in one basket. These final five games are more so tailored to getting him comfortable and ready for next season. If the Browns can get one more receiver along with Amari Cooper on the outside, it’ll be a plethora of weapons for Watson. But for right now, there’s no sense in trying to heap all of these expectations on the Browns. Scrutiny, maybe. But not expectations.
Bengals analysis
The Cincinnati Bengals are right back near the top of the AFC standings and it could not have happened in a more emphatic fashion. The Bengals knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 at home on Sunday, most certainly Cincinnati’s best win of the season when talking about the situation and how it pertains to both sides of the ball. Because Joe Burrow absolutely had an incredible game with three total touchdowns, but of course nothing happens without the defense making plays that it did and giving Cincinnati a chance to win the football game. Burrow threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns, while Samaje Perine ran for 106 yards in place of the injured Joe Mixon. The biggest difference was the return of Ja’Marr Chase with seven receptions for 97 yards.
"We left some points on the field, but we still find a way to win," Burrow said. "We've still got five weeks left. Let's keep this train rolling. This team knows what it takes to win these games. We've been there. It's December. It's time to separate ourselves."
That realistically is all that matters with Cincinnati right now. The Bengals are still playing with house money after making the Super bowl last year. But now the quest to win another division title is right in front of them. Things to the Baltimore Ravens losing Lamar Jackson for the next one to three weeks, the division is clearly Cincinnati’s for the taking. And if either Buffalo or Kansas City slip up records wise going forward, then the Bengals will easily clinch home-field advantage.
Prediction
Don’t think the Browns have enough defensively to get after Burrow and co. at home. With Chase back, that offense is more dynamic than ever. Bengals by 17
Betting trends
Browns are 12-23 ATS against conference opponents the last 3 seasons.
Browns are 1-9 ATS after playing their last game on the road the last 2 seasons.
Bengals are 17-6 ATS against conference opponents the last 2 seasons.
Bengals are 10-2 ATS after 2 straight unders the last 2 seasons.
Statistical leaders
Browns:
Passing: Jacoby Brissett – 2,608 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Nick Chubb – 1,119 yards, 12 TD
Receiving: Amari Cooper – 832 yards, 7 TD
Defense: Myles Garrett – 10 sacks
Bengals:
Passing: Joe Burrow – 3,446 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT
Rushing: Joe Mixon – 605 yards, 6 TD
Receiving: Tee Higgins – 861 yards, 5 TD
Defense: Vonn Bell – 4 INT
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 daily NFL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
