Bengals vs. Browns: Preview, score prediction for Week 4
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
To the dismay of no one, the Cleveland Browns enter NFL Week 4 without a win to their credit. More surprisingly, though, fellow Ohio natives, the Cincinnati Bengals, are also winless through three games. Now these two AFC North squads will go toe-to-toe with a first win for somebody hanging in the balance.
It’s clear the Browns are still rebuilding, which is made harder with No. 1 pick Myles Garrett still out. They have nice pieces on both sides of the ball, but seem far away from putting it together wholly. The Bengals also haven’t put it together, really. Cincy played the Packers close last week and will get Vontaze Burfict back in this matchup. However, if their offensive line doesn’t improve, none of that may matter.
So what do you need to know about the Ohio Bowl? Let’s take a look.
Keys to Victory
The recipe for Cleveland to pick up a win in this game is simple: Get pressure on Andy Dalton. The Cincinnati quarterback struggles mightily when he feels the heat, but Green Bay was unable to take advantage of playing their week offensive line last week. The Browns have to capitalize and really throw the Bengals offense off kilter by pressuring them.
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
As for the offense, they need to run the ball. That’s been the chorus through three weeks, but it’s yet to happen consistently. DeShone Kizer is still a project at best, even if he’s starting. You need to take him out of high-pressure situations where he’s asked to control and ultimately win games. He’s not ready for that, but a stout line and the duo of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson are.
Meanwhile, the Bengals have to keep up what they did well in challenging the Packers last week on offense. Obviously that’s contingent upon the line blocking adequately, which isn’t a given. Having said that, they need to get the ball out quickly and let that set up things downfield late in the game.
The Cincinnati defense needs to do the same as the Browns defense: Get pressure. Carl Lawson has been great thus far as a rookie and the front four has been solid as a whole. With a young quarterback and Kizer under center for Cleveland, they need to make him rushed and uncomfortable as often as possible.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Cincinnati -3
Moneyline: Cincinnati -170, Cleveland +150
Over/Under: 42
Odds via Sportsbook Review
Next: NFL 2017: Picks against the spread for Week 4
Prediction
There’s no doubt that the Bengals finally showed promise last week, which could be bad news for the Browns. Having said that, I don’t buy that being sustainable — the Cincy offensive line is just too bad. I like the Cleveland defense, even without Myles Garrett again, to come up and really pressure Andy Dalton in mistakes. That’ll be enough to give the Browns a win at home.
Final Score: Cincinnati Bengals: 13, Cleveland Browns: 17