PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* DIVISIONAL GAME OF THE YEAR!
(NFL) Cincinnati vs. Cleveland,
Point Spread: 6.00 | -115.00 Cleveland (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 6.00 | -115.00 Cleveland (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Bengals got a much-needed 32-14 win last week at home vs the Eagles. The victory gives Cincy a 4-7-1 record but with just four games left, the Ravens and Steelers (both 7-5) seem like they'll be tough to catch. Then we have the 0-12 Browns, the NFL's lone winless team and one hoping to avoid becoming the first team since the 2008 Detroit Lions to go 0-16.
Cincinnati: The Bengals' win last Sunday ended a four-game winless streak, which began after they had beaten the Browns 31-17 back on Oct. 23. In between victories were three losses and a 27-27 tie, a stretch which produced a heavy dose uninspiring play, especially from a team which opened the season having made five consecutive playoff appearances (as well as six in the previous seven years). Despite playing without A.J. Green, QB Andy Dalton had his best game of the season against the Eagles. He completed 74 percent of his throws for 332 yards with two TDs and no INTs (he had a season-high passer rating of 130.0). Dalton just might be licking his chops as he prepares for a Browns' defense that has given up a league-high 28 TD passes , while the DL has an anemic 17 sacks, ranking last in the league. Converting yards into points has been a problem for the Bengals this year, as while they rank 8th with 372.0 YPG, they are 23rd in points scored at 20.4 per game.
Cleveland: The Browns' season can be told by the numbers. They rank 29th in yards gained (313.8 per) and 31st in points scored with 16.4 per. They allow 400.0 YPG (31st) and allow 29.3 PPG, to also rank 31st. Put it all together and the Browns are 0-12 SU and almost as dismal ATS, at 2-10. The lone right spot has been Terrelle Pryor. He was a QB in Oakland, where he played in three games a 2012 rookie. He was out of football until 2015, when he resurfaced in Cleveland last year but he played in just three games (no one noticed). However he's been the team' best offensive player in 2016 at WR, with 62 catches for 855 yards. Is it possible that the return of RG III will be the needed spark? He was the team's season-opening starter but broke a bone in his shoulder in a Week 1 loss and has watched as Cody Kessler, Josh McCown, Charlie Whitehurst, Kevin Hogan and even Terrelle Pryor have all taken snaps under center in his absence.
The pick: If the Browns are going to avoid an 0-16, this seems like their best chance. Hue Jackson knows the Bengals, as he was Cincy's OC before taking the Cleveland head coaching job. The Bengals won opening week in New Jersey against the Jets 23-22 but have since gone 0-5 SU and ATS on the road, so if not now for the Browns, when? Cleveland is a 10* play.
Cincinnati: The Bengals' win last Sunday ended a four-game winless streak, which began after they had beaten the Browns 31-17 back on Oct. 23. In between victories were three losses and a 27-27 tie, a stretch which produced a heavy dose uninspiring play, especially from a team which opened the season having made five consecutive playoff appearances (as well as six in the previous seven years). Despite playing without A.J. Green, QB Andy Dalton had his best game of the season against the Eagles. He completed 74 percent of his throws for 332 yards with two TDs and no INTs (he had a season-high passer rating of 130.0). Dalton just might be licking his chops as he prepares for a Browns' defense that has given up a league-high 28 TD passes , while the DL has an anemic 17 sacks, ranking last in the league. Converting yards into points has been a problem for the Bengals this year, as while they rank 8th with 372.0 YPG, they are 23rd in points scored at 20.4 per game.
Cleveland: The Browns' season can be told by the numbers. They rank 29th in yards gained (313.8 per) and 31st in points scored with 16.4 per. They allow 400.0 YPG (31st) and allow 29.3 PPG, to also rank 31st. Put it all together and the Browns are 0-12 SU and almost as dismal ATS, at 2-10. The lone right spot has been Terrelle Pryor. He was a QB in Oakland, where he played in three games a 2012 rookie. He was out of football until 2015, when he resurfaced in Cleveland last year but he played in just three games (no one noticed). However he's been the team' best offensive player in 2016 at WR, with 62 catches for 855 yards. Is it possible that the return of RG III will be the needed spark? He was the team's season-opening starter but broke a bone in his shoulder in a Week 1 loss and has watched as Cody Kessler, Josh McCown, Charlie Whitehurst, Kevin Hogan and even Terrelle Pryor have all taken snaps under center in his absence.
The pick: If the Browns are going to avoid an 0-16, this seems like their best chance. Hue Jackson knows the Bengals, as he was Cincy's OC before taking the Cleveland head coaching job. The Bengals won opening week in New Jersey against the Jets 23-22 but have since gone 0-5 SU and ATS on the road, so if not now for the Browns, when? Cleveland is a 10* play.
