Preview, Prediction, and Odds for Cleveland Browns #461 vs. Cincinnati Bengals #462
In the last week of the NFL season, the Bengals and Cleveland Browns will square off in Cincinnati in the battle of Ohio on Sunday. When the two teams first faced each other in week one, a lot has changed. The Bengals lost star quarterback Joe Burrow a few weeks ago, and they will be outside the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Meanwhile, the Browns, led by veteran Joe Flacco, are headed to the postseason. It is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 PM EST.
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Browns in the playoffs
When the Browns play the Bengals this week, they most likely won’t resemble the club that takes the field in the postseason one week from Sunday. The Browns are assured of a postseason berth after securing a wildcard spot. The Browns defeated the Jets 37–20 at home last week to record their 11th victory of the year. Joe Flacco, the team’s quarterback, has persevered in his incredible journey to become the starting quarterback since being called off the street just six weeks ago. With Flacco starting for a squad that lost its best quarterback, Deshaun Watson, the team is currently 4-1.
The top running back, Nick Chubb, and the playoff-bound Browns suffered season-ending injuries. ‘Flacco! Flacco!’ was yelled as the former Ravens quarterback left the field after another triumph, after he completed a throw for 309 yards and three touchdowns last Thursday night against the Jets. Since the Browns are unable to move up or down, Flacco and other important players will sit, with Jeff Driskel starting.
Browns in the playoffs
“You never know when these opportunities will present themselves,” Flacco remarked. “This is something I will never forget in my lifetime.”
The Browns won’t be starting too many important players on Sunday because they have already secured a postseason spot. In terms of points per game this season, the Browns have risen to ninth overall. They rank 25th in football rushing, but Flacco’s comeback has helped them climb to 19th in throwing. In a defensive manner,
Regarding points allowed per game this season, the Browns rank eleventh. They boast the best pass defense in the NFL and rank 14th against the run. This season, the Browns rank bottom in the NFL in terms of giveaways but third in terms of takeaways.
Key Injuries: DE M. Garrett (shoulder) and CB D. Ward (shoulder) are likely. RB K.Hunt (groin), TE D.Njoku (illness), LB A.Walker Jr. (knee), WR A.Cooper (heel), WR E.Moore (concussion), G W. Turner (ankle), S D. Harmon (ankle), C E. Pocic (shoulder), CB G.Newsome II (knee), CB M. Ford (calf), and G J.Bitonio (oblique), RB K. Quarterback Joe Flacco is not available.
Out and Down
The Cincinnati Bengals’ dreams of making the playoffs were dashed on the same field as their season, when they lost 25-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Although the Bengals were ahead 17–13 at the time, their offensive faltered in the second half, and a late drive was foiled to cap off a challenging season for a team that was the early favorite to win the Super Bowl. Jake Browning, the quarterback, is making his sixth consecutive start as quarterback after starting Joe
Burrow passed for 197 yards and a touchdown in the game against the Ravens before suffering a season-ending injury. In the valiant defeat, running back Joe Mixon earned 65 yards on the ground and was successful in receiving a touchdown.
Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor stated, “Every guy left it all on the field.” “The game was quite emotional. game in person. Everything that we had anticipated occurred. Kansas City deserves some credit. They completed it in the final moments.
The Bengals play the Browns on Sunday to cap up a dismal season. Similar to the Browns, they may be without a few important players as the Bengals’ coaching staff considers whether to start injured players in a pointless game. In terms of points per game this season, the Bengals rank 20th. They rank 11th in passing and 27th in rushing the football. This season, the Bengals have had defensive struggles; their points allowed per game ranking is merely 21st in the NFL. This year, they rank 29th against the pass and 31st against the run. The Bengals, who rank third in the NFL in giveaways, have done a decent job of guarding the ball this season. This season, they are placed 12th in takeaways as well.
Principal Injuries: T. D. Smith is not available due to a knee injury. WR T. Higgins (hamstring), CB J. Davis (groin), WR C. Awuzie (shoulder), and WR J. Chase (shoulder) are all doubtful.
With rosters that resemble preseason teams in a game that has little real significance, these are the hardest games to predict. Many of the Browns’ important players, most notably Flacco and probably both starting receivers, Moore and Cooper, won’t be playing, and I anticipate that a large portion of the starting defense will sit out this game. Jeff Driskel, a quarterback who was just signed, will be the Browns’ fifth starting quarterback this year. In this game, Driskel undoubtedly wants to make an impression in order to land his next NFL contract. Driskel will have a few chances to score against one of the Bengals’ top defenses.
lowest against the pass in the league. Conversely, Browning of the Bengals is undoubtedly auditioning for his next position during this game and will undoubtedly be trying to enhance his résumé. Unfortunately, with both Chase and Higgins down and unlikely to risk a more serious injury, Browning may very well be without both of his starting wide receivers. With the good weather predicted for Sunday, I believe this will be a back-and-forth contest that might come down to the last possession, much like a preseason game. I’m not going to pass up seven points because of that.
Take the Browns +7