Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium – Cincinnati, Ohio
Thursday, November 6, 2014, 8:25 pm Eastern, TV: NFL Network
Opening Line: Cincinnati -6
Current Line: Cincinnati -6 1/2
Opening Total: 44 1/2
Current Total: 45 1/2
Opening Money Line: Bengals -260 / Browns +215
Current Money Line: Bengals -265 / Browns +220
The AFC North is the only division in football with all four teams above .500. The Cincinnati Bengals lead the division with a 5-2-1 record over the 6-3 Pittsburgh Steelers, 5-3 Cleveland Browns and 5-4 Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals host the Browns Thursday night in the battle of Ohio.
Since 2001, Cincinnati leads the series against Cleveland 16-10. The teams split the series last year with each winning at home. The Browns won in Cleveland 17-6 and the Bengals won in Cincinnati 41-20. The Browns will host the Bengals December 14.
Cleveland is coached by Mike Pettine. The surprising Browns have won 4 of their last 5 games including 2 straight. Cleveland has road losses at the Steelers 30-27 and Jacksonville Jaguars 24-6, along with a home loss to the Ravens 23-21. The Browns have home wins over the New Orleans Saints 26-24, Steelers 31-10, Oakland Raiders 23-13 and last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 22-17, along with a road win over the Tennessee Titans 29-28. Cleveland is 4-2-2 ATS this season and the total is 4-4. The Browns were 7 point favorites against the Buccaneers and the total is 44.
Cincinnati is coached by Marvin Lewis. The Bengals tied the Carolina Panthers 37-37 at home. Cincinnati has road losses at the New England Patriots 43-17 and Indianapolis Colts 27-0. The Bengals have won 2 straight games. Cincinnati has home wins over the Atlanta Falcons 24-10, Titans 33-7, Ravens 27-24 and last week against the Jaguars 33-23, and on the road against the Ravens 23-16. Cincinnati is 4-3-1 ATS and the total is 4-4 this season. The Bengals were a 10 point favorite against Jacksonville and the total was 44.
Cleveland is outscoring teams 23-21 this season. The Browns are #8 in points allowed. Cleveland is averaging 352 yards per game on offense including 242 passing and 110 rushing yards. On defense, the Browns are allowing 392 yards per game including 252 passing and 140 rushing yards. Cleveland is #28 in total defense and #31 in rush defense. The Browns are 36/113 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 48/124. Cleveland has forced 18 sacks and allowed 13 this season. The Browns are +6 in turnovers. Cleveland has one defensive touchdown this season.
Cleveland quarterback Brian Hoyer has completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,014 yards with 10 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He has done just enough to hold off rookie Johnny Manziel for the starting job. Running back Ben Tate has 94 carries for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns plus 7 catches. Terrance West has 81 carries for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 7 catches and a touchdown. Isaiah Crowell has 52 carries for 256 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 3 catches. Receiver Andrew Hawkins has 39 catches for 504 yards and a touchdown. He is questionable with a knee injury. Taylor Gabriel has 21 catches for 404 yards with a touchdown. Miles Austin has 26 catches for 339 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tight end Jordan Cameron has 13 catches for 250 yards and a touchdown. He is questionable with a concussion. Travis Benjamin has 11 catches for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Receiver Josh Gordon is eligible to return from a suspension in week 12. Six defensive players are listed as questionable or out for the Browns.
Cincinnati is outscoring teams 24-23 this season. The Bengals are averaging 362 yards per game on offense including 240 passing and 121 rushing yards per game. Cincinnati is #9 in rushing. The Bengals are allowing 395 yards per game on defense including 255 passing and 140 rushing yards. Cincinnati is #30 in both total and rush defense. The Bengals are 39/104 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 48/124. Cincinnati has 13 sacks and has allowed 10 this season. The Bengals have allowed 1 defensive touchdown this season. Cincinnati is +3 in turnovers.
Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton has completed 64.9% of his passes for 1,874 yards with 8 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, plus 27 carries for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Giovani Bernard has 109 carries for 446 yards and 5 touchdowns, plus 22 catches for 179 yards. Bernard is questionable with a hip injury. Jeremy Hill has 74 carries for 349 yards with 5 touchdowns, along with 14 catches for 140 yards. Receiver Mohamed Sanu has 39 catches for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 40 rushing yards and a touchdown pass. A.J. Green has 20 catches for 358 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tight end Jermaine Gresham has 33 catches for 247 yards. Seven defensive players are listed as questionable or out.
Cleveland is 4-0 ATS in Thursday games, 3-1-2 against AFC teams, 1-3-1 after passing for more than 250 yards, and in road games, 2-7 against teams with winning home records, and 0-4 in week 10. The underdog is 11-2-1 ATS in this series recently. The Browns are 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 games against the Bengals.
Cincinnati is 6-0 ATS against teams with winning road records, 14-3-1 at home, 4-1-1 in November, 4-1 against AFC North teams, 7-2-1 ATS after allowing more than 350 total yards, 3-1-1 after a straight up win, 7-3 after failing to cover and against teams with winning records, 1-3-1 overall and on fieldturf, and 1-4 after scoring more than 30 points. The over is 5-1 in this series recently. The home team is 3-0-1 ATS in this series recently.
Both the Browns and Bengals are winning despite giving up a ton of yardage especially against the run. This should be a high scoring game. I think the Bengals win but the Browns keep it close.
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