Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Cleveland Browns remain winless entering NFL Week 7, but press on not without hope. They’ve been competitive this season and could make noise yet. They’re next chance to do so will be on the road at Paul Brown Stadium as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
Whereas the Browns are an optimistic 0-6, the Bengals are a wholly pessimistic 2-4. After looking like one of the AFC’s best teams last season, they’ve been a dumpster fire thus far this season. Now the hope is that playing a supposed pushover like Cleveland will allow them to right the ship.
Here are the keys to victory for this game:
Keys to Victory
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Cincy will be getting Tyler Eifert back for the first time in 2016 for this game. Though he’s likely going to be limited, that could be huge in remedying their issues on offense. Andy Dalton simply needs more reliable weapons around him. This Browns defense is penetrable at almost every level. Thus, Dalton, Eifert, and A.J. Green taking advantage of that and getting into any kind of rhythm is going to be massively important for the Bengals.
On the other sideline, the Browns need to do all they can to control the action by running the ball. Isaiah Crowell has been great this season, but head coach Hue Jackson hasn’t relied on him nearly often enough. While Cody Kessler has been relatively impressive—or just not a trainwreck—Cleveland’s bread and butter is moving the ball on the ground. If they control game flow that way and keep things moving, that could be a difference-maker on Sunday.
Odds
Point Spread: Cincinnati -11
Moneyline: Cincinnati -600, Cleveland +450
Over/Under: 47
Prediction
First off, if you’re going to pick against the spread, take the points. No way this Bengals team should be double-digit favorites against anybody. However, let’s get even crazier. Give me the visiting Browns outright to get the win.
Pick: Cleveland Browns: 27, Cincinnati Bengals: 23