Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Betting Preview

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— Sunday, January 09th Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

Week 18 of the NFL season has a number of very important games on the schedule, but that doesn't include the game taking place in Cleveland. The Browns are set to host the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC North rivalry game that will have very little meaning this time around. 

Cincinnati enters this game with a record of 10-6, and they have already clinched the AFC North Division title. The Bengals are back in the playoffs, and they have also won three straight games entering Week 18.

Cleveland has lost three straight games, and this slump couldn't have come at a worse time. The Browns were expected to be a playoff contender this season but have been officially eliminated in what turned into a disappointing season. 

The Cleveland Browns are 1.5-point betting favorites over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18.

No Burrow For Bengals

Now that the Bengals have already clinched a playoff berth, the team has decided to rest quarterback Joe Burrow in an effort to keep him healthy. Burrow has thrown for over 4,600 yards this season, and he has been on a tear of late. 

With the star quarterback out of the lineup, look for the Bengals to try and establish the run in this game. Cincinnati is rushing for just over 100 yards per game, but that number must improve as the playoffs are set to begin. 

The defense for the Bengals will have to show some improvement as well to go on a deep playoff run. Cincinnati is allowing 22.2 points per game, but they have given up some big plays along the way.

Browns Looking to Run

The Browns are averaging over 140 rushing yards per game this season, and they always look to establish the run in every game that they play. Nick Chubb leads the team with over 1,200 rushing yards, and he could play a pivotal role in this matchup.

Case Keenum will be under center for the Browns, and he has already delivered a win earlier this season. Cleveland will be motivated to pick up a win in the season finale, but this offense is scoring less than 21 points per game. 

The Cleveland defense has been solid all season, and that unit could dominate this game. Look for the Browns to put pressure on the Bengals in an effort to slow down that attack.

Cleveland Takes Care of Cincinnati

It's hard to see Cleveland winning this game if Joe Burrow was playing, but his absence is going to leave a pretty massive hole for the Bengals' offense. Cincinnati simply has nothing to play for, and you shouldn't expect to see much of a fight from them in this matchup. 

It has been a rough few weeks for the Cleveland Browns, and they don't have anything left to play for besides pride in this matchup. That Cleveland defense still has the ability to take over a game, though, and that is exactly what is going to happen in this one. 

Bet the Cleveland Browns -1.5 as the home team finds a way to win this game and cool off the streaking Cincinnati Bengals.

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