Bengals vs. Browns: Odds, predictions, props and best bets
The final week of the NFL season features a classic matchup of AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) and Cleveland Browns (11-5). This is one of the few games on the Week 18 slate that does not carry any playoff implications, as the Bengals have been eliminated while the Browns are locked into the top AFC Wild Card spot.
Be sure to place your Bengals vs. Browns bets on the best NFL betting sites.
The top Michigan sportsbooks favor the Bengals in this one, with the total among the lower end for the Week 18 games.
The Bengals hope to clinch a winning season in Week 18
The Bengals saw their playoff hopes officially dashed last week following their loss in Kansas City. This wasn’t unexpected considering the team lost franchise quarterback Joe Burrow to injury earlier in the season, but the Bengals kept things interesting for a time with backup Jake Browning. Despite being eliminated from the postseason, Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor still seeks a winning season and needs a win here.
With Browning and several other Bengals set to enter free agency this offseason, they’ll certainly be looking to boost their value in this meaningless ballgame. Also of note, Cincinnati defensive end Trey Hendrickson is tied for the NFL lead with 17 sacks this season. He’s hoping to be the first Bengal to claim the league sack title, and he comes to this contest having registered at least one sack in seven consecutive games.
Browns playoff bound, may sit starters
Following Baltimore’s win last week, the Browns find themselves locked into the No. 5 seed for the AFC playoffs, regardless of the outcome of this game. As a result, Cleveland may elect to sit their starters in this ballgame, including the resurgent Joe Flacco. Last week, the 16-year veteran set a new career high with a fourth straight 300-yard passing game. He has rescued Cleveland’s season and guided them to the playoffs.
No matter who takes the field on Sunday, these clubs look very different from the ones that squared off way back in Week 1 this season, a 24-3 Browns victory in Cleveland. The Browns have little to play for in Week 18, as they already know they’ll travel to the AFC South winner for the Wild Card round no matter what.
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Bengals vs Browns best bet
The Browns have hit the over in nine of their last 10 road games, including eight straight. But Flacco may sit in this one, and his replacement is likely Jeff Driskel, a journeyman quarterback Cleveland signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad. Although Cincinnati’s Jake Browning will look to light up the scoreboard considering he’ll be a free agent this offseason, his leaky offensive line might not be able to hold up.
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Bengals vs Browns best prop bet
Browning has guided the Bengals offense to more than 20 points only three times since taking over for an injured Joe Burrow in Week 11. Cincinnati’s averaging just 14 points per game over the last two and the offense could be without injured wideout Tee Higgins.
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