Browns vs. Bengals Point Spread: NFL Week 18 Odds, Prediction
Cleveland defeated the Steelers, 13-6, despite being outgained 291-262. Shedeur Sanders threw for 186 yards and a touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr., but also tossed two interceptions.
The Bengals throttled the Arizona Cardinals, 37-14. It was the third win in five games since Joe Burrow returned from left toe surgery. Burrow threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, both to Ja’Marr Chase.
Cincinnati won an offensively stunted season opener at Cleveland, 17-16, and has taken four straight decisions from the Browns.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Cleveland is 1-6 against the spread on the road and has lost 14 of 15 away from home dating back to last season. The Browns are also 1-5 ATS in their last six games at Cincinnati.
On the NFL odds board, the Bengals are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games. The win over the Cardinals ended a four-game home losing streak for Cincinnati.
The Browns have played to the under in four of their last six contests, while Cincinnati has done the same in five of their last seven games.
These teams have played to the under in five of their last six meetings.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has nothing to play for on Sunday outside of pride and a little history. Myles Garrett, the anchor of the NFL’s second-ranked defence, has 22 sacks. He is one short of setting the single-season record.
Garrett sacked Burrow twice in Week 1 as the Browns held him to 113 passing yards, the third-lowest total of his career.
Sanders has struggled under centre following his breakout – 364 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He has thrown two touchdowns against seven interceptions in the three games since.
Cincinnati Bengals
For the third time in six seasons, Burrow will fail to play in 11 games or more. And this season has been the worst, as Burrow has been limited to just seven starts. It’s simple. The Bengals are 5-2 with Burrow under centre, 1-8 without.
Cincinnati is averaging 29.6 points in the five games since Burrow has returned to the starting lineup, and that includes a 24-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow and Cincinnati’s offence have been aided lately by an improving defence that has held three straight opponents to 24 points or less.
NFL PredictionWho Will Win Browns vs. Bengals?
Cleveland has gotten absolutely destroyed on the road this season. The team is 1-6 away from home, with five of those losses coming by two touchdowns or more.
Their only road win came against the worst team in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders. The team’s second-ranked defence is allowing an average of 28.3 points on the road.
All of this is to say that Cincinnati should win its third straight game to close the season. Garrett may break the single-season sacks record, but look for Burrow to throw for more than 300 yards for the third straight week, even against Cleveland’s second-ranked pass defence. Take the Bengals finishing on a high note with a 28-14 victory.
CLE
CIN