TNF: Browns Vs. Bengals Preview

The AFC North race is still wide open and when division rivals the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals collide a win on either side could turn the tied of the division.

The Browns are 5-3 straight up and 4-3-1 against the spread. While they are 4-1 in non-division games, they have struggled against division opponents. A win against the Bengals would help propel Cleveland to the top of the teams likely to win the AFC North.

The Bengals are 5-2-1 straight up and 4-3-1 against the spread. They are 6-point favorites in this contest. The Bengals are 3-1-1 against spread at home this season. The Bengals were a strong home team last season and this season seems to be the same. They were 8-0 against the spread last year.

Both these teams play an old school style of football, depending on the run. However, both teams have issues stopping the run. The Bengals will lean on Jeremy Hill who his subbing in for Giovani Bernard who is still nursing an injury. The Browns found a lot of success on the ground in the early part of the season but have been struggling as of late. They have managed just 158 yards over the last three weeks, but they have not given up on the run and will continue to try and shove the ball down the Bengals throats.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, neither team’s front line on defense have been successful at stopping the run, nor have they been able to put pressure on quarterbacks. Whichever team can pull their defense together for this one, will likely be the winner.

The total for this game is set at 45 points. The game starts at 7:25 p.m. ET.