The Cincinnati Bengals opened up as a 4.5-point road favorite over the Cleveland Browns in a Week 7 contest and the Over/Under total on this game was set at 45.5. Wise guy money has rolled in and Cincy has jumped up to -5.5. The O/U has ticked down from 45.5 to 41.5. 

Both teams live in the AFC North which means two games every season. Last year, the Browns (PK) toyed with the Bengals in the season opener in Cleveland, posting a 24-3 victory and the O/U total which was posted at 45.5 was an easy Under. In the rematch at Cincinnati, the Bengals (-7) rolled to a 31-14 win in the last game of the season, and the O/U total which was posted at 36.5 was an easy Over. 

And if look-aheads are part of your handicapping homework, the Bengals head back home for a game against the Eagles while the Browns stay at home in Cleveland to host their AFC North rival Baltimore.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns Odds Week 7

Odds as of Oct. 17 at BetMGM

Bengals vs Browns Picks Week 7

Bengals -5.5 (-115) at BetMGM

Cincy's 2-4 record is kinda ugly but you need to know that they're actually playing better on the road than they are home. Actually PERFECT on the road (where it matters) but I'll get to that in a minute. In the first roadie, the Bengals (+6.5) lost to Kansas City 26-25 but covered the spread. Then Cincy (-5.5) went to Carolina and beat the Panthers 34-24 for another cover. Last week at the N.Y. Giants, the Bengals (-4.5) posted a 17-7 W making them a PERFECT 3-0 on the road against the spread this year.

And if you look at their 2-4 record, the loss to the Patriots was a shocker, but coming up short against the Chiefs, Ravens and Commanders is nothing to be ashamed of. On the other side of the field, the Brownies should be ashamed of literally everything. We covered the Deshaun Watson yuck off the field in an earlier preview, so not going there, but almost everyone expected a banner year for Cleveland. Why not. The Brownies were 11-6 last season, and made the playoffs before getting rocked by the Texans, 45-14.  

So the question on table at the moment is, after trading Amari Cooper, who is next? Are the Browns ready put this season in the rear view mirror and getting ready for the No. 1 draft pick? Did someone scream Shedeur Sanders? And what does that tell the rest of the team? WE GIVE UP so you can come to work but you might be working in a different city soon. 

Back to the QB matchup and we can tell you that Watson is 35th among quarterbacks in the NFL this season in adjusted EPA per play. Their offense averages only 3.9 yards per play and they just lost their best WR. Ouch. Looks like they'll be getting RB Nick Chubb back and it's a great story after a horrific knee injury/torn ACL in Week 2 last season. Chubb is a great guy and would love to see him get back to his All-Pro status, but after more than a year on the bench and intensive rehab, we're not expecting much this week.

The other arm, Joe Burrow, had an off night against the Giants, completing just 19 of 28 for 208 yards, with no TDs and no INTs. But the week before, he KILLED it against the Ravens, hitting 30 of 39 for 392 yards with 5 TDs. He has both of his weapons, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins ready to go. On a lousy night in New York, the two of 'em combined for 12 grabs and 149 yards. Yea Cincy's defense has holes, but in this spot, gimme Burrow to come up with another big game as the visiting Cats stay perfect on the road against the spread.

Bengals vs Browns Prop Picks — Week 7

Joe Burrow O1.5 TD's (-120) at BetMGM

Eight TD's over the last two with five against the Ravens and three against the Commanders. Joe Cool is finding his mojo with his full staff of his receiving in the lineup and rearing to go. Look for Burrow to connect for at least two more this weekend against the Browns.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns Betting Trends