Cleveland at Cincinnati

The Bengals were a misleading playoffs team a year ago, as they were out-gained from the line of scrimmage for the season. This team was beaten badly in their opener at Baltimore 44-13, where nothing appeared to go right on either side of the ball. Cleveland played about as ugly a game last week vs. the Eagles I have seen in a while. The game was plagued by nine turnovers - five of which belonged to Cleveland. Yet, the Eagles needed a late touchdown to beat the Browns. Credit to Cleveland for finding a way to stay close. This game is an in-state rivalry that is usually played with great intensity. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by 3 points or less. There is usually little to pick and choose between these teams, and the Bengals are still an overrated team. They made the playoffs a year ago, but have struggled to beat the oddsmakers’ perspective of this team, covering just one time in their last ten games! The Bengals own a woeful 56-84 ATS mark in their last 140 played within the division. This team has also had trouble bouncing back from a horrible loss of 21 or more points where they have followed at 8-24 ATS in their last 32. Cleveland has been a good big dog at 6-1 ATS in their last seven when taking +6 or more. Under Marvin Lewis, the Bengals are 27-39 ATS following a loss and they are horrid (13-25 ATS) as a home favorite. My computer matchup predicts that Cleveland will stay close. I agree. Play on the Browns in this one.