Cincinnati at Cleveland Point Spread Pick | Week 7

NFL Week 7 – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Where: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland, OH)
When: Sunday, October 20th at 1:00 PM EST
Watch: CBS

Betting Odds

• Cincinnati Bengals: -5.5
• Over/Under: 41.0

There aren’t many better storylines in sports than when bitter rivals face off on the field. That’s exactly what we have on Sunday afternoon as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North showdown. Before the 2024 season began, both teams had high hopes, but things haven’t gone as planned for either of them. Now, at the seventh week of the schedule, the Bengals and Browns are desperate for a turnaround. Which team will come out on top in this crucial divisional clash? Let’s break down the matchup and see who has the edge in Week 7.

Cincinnati Bengals Breakdown

The Cincinnati Bengals have been on the cusp of Super Bowl glory in recent seasons, and expectations were high for 2024. However, sitting at 2-4, the Bengals have underperformed. Cincinnati has struggled at home, losing all three games at Paycor Stadium. They enter this game after a much-needed road win over the New York Giants, where their defense played its best game of the season.

As expected, Cincinnati’s passing game remains potent, ranking 7th in the NFL. Joe Burrow has been a constant presence at quarterback and continues to shine, especially when throwing to Ja’Marr Chase. Chase has 565 yards on 34 receptions with five touchdowns. Tee Higgins, who missed the start of the season, has also made an impact with 25 catches, two touchdowns, and an average of over 10 yards per reception.

Despite their success in the air, Cincinnati’s rushing attack has been inefficient, ranking among the league’s worst. They average just over 100 yards per game, with Zack Moss and Chase Brown splitting carries. Defensively, outside of their strong showing against the Giants, the Bengals have been poor. They rank 28th against the run and allow 25.3 points per game, making them 26th in the league. They also struggle to get off the field, especially on 3rd down. However, this matchup with Cleveland presents an opportunity to improve those numbers.

Cleveland Browns Breakdown

The Cleveland Browns enter Week 7 with a 1-5 record, and things haven’t gone well for them. The Browns’ offense has struggled across the board. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is having one of the worst seasons of his career, and the Browns rank at or near the bottom in key offensive categories: last in total yardage, 30th in passing yards, 28th in rushing yards, 30th in points per game, and dead last in 3rd down conversions.

To make matters worse, Cleveland recently traded away their top receiver, Amari Cooper, leaving Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy to step up. Tight end David Njoku has been a bright spot as Watson’s security blanket. There is hope that star running back Nick Chubb may return this week, but after major knee surgery, his workload will likely be limited.

Despite their offensive woes, Cleveland’s defense has played admirably. They rank in the top tier against the pass, allowing fewer than 200 yards per game. The Browns also excel at getting after the quarterback, having accumulated 15 sacks. To compete in this game, they’ll need to pressure Joe Burrow early and often.

My Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -5.5 (-115)

While winning on the road against a divisional opponent is always a challenge, it becomes much easier when that opponent is a struggling Cleveland Browns team. Deshaun Watson hasn’t looked like himself, and the loss of Amari Cooper won’t help Cleveland’s offense. Even if Nick Chubb plays, his impact will likely be minimal as he eases back from injury. The Bengals, on the other hand, seem to have found their rhythm, especially after a strong defensive performance in Week 6. I’m confident in Joe Burrow and the Bengals on the road over the Browns in this spot.