This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns tackle the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. Beneath, we analyze a couple of benefits, disadvantages, or basic ideas concerning the two groups earlier than attending to our predictions for the sport.
Sport Evaluation
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All Eyes on Watson
- I would love to have the ability to predict that Deshaun Watson will have the ability to shake off the rust this week and maintain the Browns within the sport in opposition to the Bengals. To a level, we noticed a stage of rust with Jacoby Brissett in Week 1 in opposition to the Panthers as a result of he had taken only a few reps within the preseason. However these have been some synchronization points, like having delay of sport penalties, and a few inaccuracy together with his throwing.
- With Watson, he appeared to know the offense, however after the snap, he was actually unhealthy. He took deep drops that appeared to confuse the tackles, he bailed at strain, and he had numerous incompletions within the dust. Even on a number of the completions he had, he was guiding the throws in there, with the TV announcers making a ridiculous declare like, “There’s the previous Watson!” when it was such a primary throw. I’ve little question that Watson will finally get again to his former self, however I simply cannot fathom how he’ll enhance that vastly in opposition to the Bengals.
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One thing Has to Give
- The Browns might hardly ever beat Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco throughout their careers. Can Cleveland actually proceed to have the reverse impact on Joe Burrow, who they’re 4-0 in opposition to?
- We have seen some tales this week about why the Browns’ protection is profitable in opposition to Cincinnati at occasions: they do not run the ball effectively, they do not do playaction, and there is not a lot pre-snap motion. With different groups, Cincinnati’s proficient receivers can beat the opposition regardless of all that. In opposition to the group Cleveland has put collectively, they thrive in opposition to that, comparatively talking.
- One thing has to offer, although. The Bengals have the sting right here of recognizing what they’ve struggled with in opposition to Cleveland. If the Bengals get scorching, I simply cannot think about Watson being in sync sufficient but to match them.
Fast Hitters
- It is exceptional how Donovan Peoples-Jones has became an in a single day risk on punt returns. Operating north-south is what Josh Cribbs used to do, and DPJ is beginning to run like him on returns.
- Amari Cooper harm his hip this week in apply, however is hopeful to play on Sunday. David Njoku will return to motion, which may very well be the only largest issue that does assist Watson get right into a groove.
- In line with DraftKings Sportsbook, the Browns are 5.5-point underdogs in opposition to the Bengals.
Predictions
Listed below are predictions from a number of employees members at DBN.
Chris Pokorny: “I would love to select the Browns like I did on Halloween evening, however I am unable to see us replicating that domination, after which I believe Deshaun Watson will proceed to make the offense stagnant.” Bengals 31, Browns 17
Barry Shuck: “Just like the Bengals personal the Chiefs, the Browns do very effectively in opposition to Cincinnati. Within the Week 8 win over Cincy, they dominated them to the tune of 32-13. It was probably the most full sport of the season relating to the offense, protection, and particular groups. Solely 36 speeding yards is what Cincy might muster on that day. The Bengals are an excellent staff and will win the division once more after which face the Payments within the AFC Championship Sport. They’ve overwhelmed the Jets, Dolphins, Titans, and Chiefs which implies they will defeat the higher golf equipment. However now the sport is on the highway. Burrow has the second-most passing yards and that offense is clicking. Cleveland is twelfth in opposition to the cross. Three actually good receivers plus a fantastic tight finish are going to be a nightmare. And do we’ve got a QB or not? Final sport in opposition to the worst staff within the league the Browns had zero offense.” Bengals 37, Browns 17
Thomas Moore: “The Browns are 8-1 in opposition to the Bengals because the begin of the 2018 season, which is without doubt one of the oddest and most unbelievable streaks in current franchise historical past. Cleveland has exerted its dominance over the Bengals thanks largely to its protection, which has terrorized Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow from the pocket with defensive finish Myles Garrett and on the again finish of the protection with stable play from the secondary in opposition to the Bengals’ proficient receivers. Cincinnati followers will attempt to brush off the dropping streak as no large deal because the Bengals performed within the Tremendous Bowl final season, however they might be simply as fast to commerce their 0-3 document in title video games for only one of Cleveland’s eight championships.
Offensively, Nick Chubb has had his method in opposition to Cincinnati’s protection, averaging 5.34 yards per carry and speeding for seven touchdowns in eight profession video games whereas surpassing 100 speeding yards 5 occasions. Chubb’s dominance will take a number of the strain off of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who ought to look higher in his second sport again than he did final week in opposition to the Houston Texans, because the Browns proceed their mastery of the Bengals and maintain their slim playoff hopes alive for an additional week.” Browns 31, Browns 20
Jared Mueller: “The Cleveland Browns have had the Cincinnati Bengals quantity for fairly a while however it’s onerous to imagine that may proceed. If it does, both Myles Garrett continues to simply dominate the Bengals offensive line or Deshaun Watson returns to elite standing after a poor exhibiting in his return sport. Each could be good.
Ultimately, a aggressive sport comes right down to Burrow making a play to Ja’Marr Chase that seals the sport for the house staff.” Bengals 30, Browns 28
Matt Wooden: “Don’t know what it’s, however the Browns have the Bengals quantity. That is the proper lure spot for the Bengals too, coming off the win in opposition to the Chiefs they’re as soon as once more the media darling. On the flip aspect, the Browns are harmful. They HAVE to win on Sunday. Watson seemed ROUGH on Sunday and also you needed to count on that it was going to take a while. Can he go toe to toe with a pink scorching Burrow?
I’ve stated it earlier than, count on the sudden within the NFL. Browns are the extra determined staff and it reveals on Sunday. Right here is my scorching take, Myles Garrett takes a large leap into the MVP dialogue as he single handily wrecks the Bengals passing sport with 3 sacks. Browns offense does simply sufficient to get the win and keep within the hunt.” Browns 29, Bengals 20
Ezweav: “I really feel kinda unhealthy for Bengals’ followers this week. On one hand, beating Kansas Metropolis three straight occasions reveals that their benefit could be very actual and inarguable. But when that’s the case, then they check out us…it simply needs to be nerve wracking.
To evaluation, the final three QB’s to begin for us in opposition to them are Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum and Jacoby Brissett. All dubs. The notion that DeShaun Watson’s “rust” will imperil us on this one doesn’t actually cross the odor take a look at. You would need to imagine that his total profession has been the outlier and final week is now the rule, and that isn’t cheap by any measure.
However whether or not or not he’s totally up to the mark for this sport, the actual fact nonetheless stays that the Bangles haven’t any reply for Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, and if the final sport is any indication – Amari Cooper.
Nevertheless we do have solutions for his or her largest weapons. Denzel Ward basically erased Ja’Marr Chase final 12 months, and likewise apparently bought all up in his head as he revealed in the course of the offseason. They each missed the primary matchup however are each within the lineup this week. The Bengals have unbelievable enhances however so will we. Thus, we will neutralize their finest weapons whereas additionally placing a strain on Burrow that has been confirmed to be insurmountable.
In different phrases, we bought their quantity. And there actually isn’t something totally different from the primary matchup aside from we’ve got a greater quarterback. Good guys roll” Browns 32, Bengals 18
Who do you assume will win, Browns followers? Tell us within the feedback part under.
Odds/traces topic to vary. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for particulars.