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The Cleveland Browns will host the Cincinnati Bengals in an early AFC North showdown. Joe Burrow is returning from a preseason calf injury, while Deshaun Watson is hoping to regain the form that earned him three trips to the Pro Bowl from 2018-20.
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals – game predictions
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The Bengals are a 2-point road favorite with a total of 47.5 points. The spread has moved down from Bengals -2.5, and it will be interesting to see how well Burrow moves in the pocket against the Browns passing rushing duo of Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith.
Prediction 1: Bengals -2 @ -110 (1.91)
The two teams split a pair of games last season, although Jacoby Brissett was under center when the Browns upset the Bengals in Week 8. Cincinnati finished the regular season a year ago with eight straight wins and has won five of its last six road games, including the playoffs. In their only head-to-head matchup, Watson threw for more yards (279 to 236) than Burrow in Week 14. However, the Bengals cruised to a 23-10 victory. Cleveland stud running back Nick Chubb tallied 101 yards and two scores in a win over the Bengals but was held to just 34 yards in the second meeting. Joe Cool has been excellent on the road, so the over is a smart bet.
Prediction 2: Amari Cooper anytime touchdown scorer @ +125 (2.25)
The Bengals’ defense shut down Chubb and the Browns’ running game in their last matchup, which resulted in an easy win. It’s a good bet Cincinnati will use this formula again, which bodes well for Cooper hitting paydirt on Sunday. The four-time Pro Bowler hauled in five passes for 131 yards and a score from Watson the last time these two teams met. Cooper set a career-high with nine touchdown catches last year and will reach the end zone again on Sunday.
Browns vs Bengals preview – Which quarterback wins the battle?
Burrow recently became the highest-paid player in NFL history, and Watson was the envy of every player when he inked a fully guaranteed $230 million deal last year. Burrow has established himself as an upper-tier signal-caller, while Watson is looking to reclaim his spot as one of the league’s top dual-threat quarterbacks.
Cleveland Browns form, news and injuries
The Browns have an impressive cast of offensive playmakers in Watson, Chubb, and Cooper. This season, a revamped defensive unit should propel the team into legitimate playoff contenders.
Cleveland Browns injury report
• S Juan Thornhill (calf) is questionable
Cincinnati Bengals form, news and injuries
The Bengals remain the favorites in a much-improved AFC North and look primed for another deep playoff run. If Burrow can stay off the injured list, the franchise has a chance to capture its first Super Bowl win.
Cincinnati Bengals injury report
• DE Joseph Ossai (ankle) is out
Browns vs Bengals head to head record
The Bengals lead the all-time series 52-47 but have lost five of the last six meetings:
• 2022: Bengals won 23-10 in Cincinnati
• 2022: Browns won 32-13 in Cleveland
• 2022: Browns won 21-16 in Cleveland
• 2021: Browns won 41-16 in Cincinnati
• 2020: Browns won 37-34 in Cincinnati
Key match details
• Date & Time: Sunday, Sept. 10, 1 p.m. ET
• Venue: Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio
• Where to watch match in UK: Sky Sports (TV), fuboTV, or other live stream
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