The Week 9 NFL edition of Thursday Night Football pits state rivals Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals against one another, and according to oddsmakers, it’s looking like the Browns will have their work cut out for them. Sportsbooks in Vegas and offshore have opened the Bengals as double-digit favorites for the tilt – a clear sign that they’re respecting Cincy’s spotless 7-0 SU record.
- The home team is 8-3 in the last 11 games in this matchup.
- The Bengals are 8-1 SU in their last nine games after winning as an underdog.
- The Browns are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as road underdogs.
As good as things have gone for Cincinnati this year, it hasn’t been smooth sailing in Cleveland. The Browns led Arizona 20-10 at halftime in Week 8 before completely falling apart, allowing the Cardinals to score 24 unanswered points in the second half in an ugly 34-20 loss. Cleveland now sits tied with Baltimore in the cellar of the AFC North at 2-6 SU as a result.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine announced Wednesday that Johnny Manziel will get the start Thursday Night. Manziel made his NFL debut against the Bengals last year in a game that Browns fans would rather forget. Cleveland got destroyed by a score of 30-0, with Manziel passing for a minuscule 80 yards and two interceptions. With Johnny Football having such a polarizing presence on the field, Sportsbook has created a number of props for him for Thursday night's game.
Cincinnati has been absolutely on fire for bettors this season, owning a 6-0-1 ATS record in the wake of a 16-10 triumph over Pittsburgh in Week 8, which closed as a pick’em.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Cincinnati Bengals in this one found them as -10-point favorites earlier in the week at Sportsbook, while the total was sitting at 47.
A 32-18 result in favor of the Bengals is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Cleveland Browns will try to spoil to the party on Thursday; they are 3-4-1 ATS against the spread this season, while the Cincinnati Bengals are 6-0-1 ATS. Cleveland is 7-1 on the over under betting totals; Cincinnati is 5-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Cincinnati vs Cleveland injuries news.
The Bengals – Browns odds would favor the Bengals if the betting lines were set according to power ranks. Cincinnati is rated No. 4 in our latest OddsShark poll, while the Browns sit at No. 26.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Cincinnati's No. 3-ranked offense, averaging 28.29 PPG, against a Browns defense that ranks No. 26 this week at 27 PPG. The Bengals aerial game is averaging 278.14 yards per game, more than the Browns secondary allows through the air, 258.38 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Cleveland Browns feature the league's No. 29-rated road run defense, allowing 146 yards per game. The Cincinnati Bengals, meanwhile, ranks No. 7 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Cleveland comes off a game where it received a 3-TD performance from Josh McCown in a losing cause against the Cardinals, a 34-20 final.
A.J. Green hauled in 11 passes for 118 yards against the Pittsburgh defense in the team's last game, leading Cincinnati over the Steelers 16-10 on Sunday.
- Cleveland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Cleveland is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games
- Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Cincinnati is 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 games
- Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games
- Cincinnati is 15-4-2 ATS in its last 21 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland at Pittsburgh, Sunday, November 15th
Cincinnati home to Houston, Monday, November 16th