Bengals at Browns expert picks and predictions

The Bengals and Browns may be starting the first of many competitive Battles of Ohio. Cincinnati just drafted Joe Burrow, and Cleveland is hoping Baker Mayfield can return to the form that made him one of the most impressive rookies when he came out. Either way, both teams are looking to be a little more crisp on Thursday Night Football than in Week 1.

Odds

The Bengals are currently six-point underdogs to the Browns in Cleveland, according to Bovada. This is a pretty significant drop from Cincinnati being an 8.5-point underdog at the start of the week. It still isn’t surprising to see the Bengals viewed this way by the oddsmakers after the offense didn’t quite takeoff in Week 1. Until that happens, they will probably continue to be viewed this way.

• The total has gone over in four of Cincinnati’s last five games.
• Cincinnati is 2-17 straight up in their last 19 games.
• Cincinnati is 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 games against Cleveland.
• Cincinnati is 8-3 straight up in their last 11 games against Cleveland.
• Cincinnati is 0-12 straight up in their last 12 games on the road.
• Cincinnati is 5-1 against the spread in their last six games when playing on the road against Cleveland.
• Cincinnati is 2-13 straight up in their last 15 games against an opponent in the AFC.
• The total has gone under in four of Cincinnati’s last five games played in September.
• The total has gone under in five of Cincinnati’s last seven games played in week 2.
• Cleveland is 1-5 against the spread in their last six games.
• Cleveland is 1-5 straight up in their last six games.
• The total has gone over in four of Cleveland’s last five games against Cincinnati.
• Cleveland is 4-1 straight up in their last five games at home.
• Cleveland is 1-5 against the spread in their last six games when playing at home against Cincinnati.
• Cleveland is 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against an opponent in the AFC.
• Cleveland is 1-4 straight up in their last five games against an opponent in the AFC North.
• The total has gone under in five of Cleveland’s last five games played on a Thursday.
• The total has gone over in four of Cleveland’s last five games when playing as the favorite.

Expert picks

• ESPN has two of five experts going with the Bengals
• Five of SB Nation’s 10 experts are also taking Cincinnati
• CBS Sports has four of seven experts taking the underdog Bengals
• NFL Pick Watch, which takes into account picks from across the web, only has the Bengals receiving 29 percent of the picks.

It is surprising to see so many experts taking a shot on Cincinnati. It is hard to remember the last time they were viewed this way for a week. Of course, that could be more of the Browns not looking so hot Week 1 as well. It is still nice to see some confidence in this team from outside the fan base. Hopefully it can continue.