2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 14

Cleveland Browns (5-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)

Sunday, December 11, 1:00 PM ET

I guess playing quarterback in the NFL isn’t quite like riding a bike, is it? Deshaun Watson made his return to the field after missing the entire 2021 season and the first 11 games of the 2022 season, but the Houston Texans are so bad that it didn’t even matter.

As the season has worn along and Houston has gotten worse, they’ve become an easy out for teams. That’s partly how the Browns were able to outlast Houston despite Deshaun Watson completing 54.5 percent of his passes with no touchdowns and an interception. Cleveland’s defense came up big, forcing four turnovers, but can they expect any sort of repeat performance here in Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals?

The Bengals are looking like one of the most dominant teams in the NFL right now. Joe Burrow is playing out of his mind, the Bengals’ receivers are making (almost) every play, and Cincinnati is riding high after a great performance in all phases at home against the mighty Kansas City Chiefs.

Joe Burrow has never lost to Patrick Mahomes, which is absolutely wild. He and the Bengals have beaten the Chiefs three times in the calendar year of 2022. It’s pretty stunning actually.

When you consider where these two teams are at as of this past weekend, I think the Bengals are a pretty easy pick on paper. Cincinnati is playing at home, they are playing dominant offensively, and their defense is much better than anyone is really giving them credit for. Now sitting at 8-4 and fighting with the Ravens for position atop the AFC North, every game is crucial for Cincinnati.

They can’t let this week be the week that Deshaun Watson has his “comeback” game, if that’s on the horizon at all. I think Cincinnati is a truly good team, which means I think they’re going to take care of business at home, even as good as the Browns have been in spurts this season, especially running the ball.

Prediction: Bengals win 31-23