Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals Prediction NFL Picks 12/22/24

Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals are 6-8 this season after they defeated Tennessee by a score of 37-27 in their last game. Cincinnati trailed 14-7 in the second quarter, but they scored the next 24 points in the game to pull away for the win. The Bengals were outgained by a total of 374-370, lost the turnover battle 4-0, and went 10-13 on third down in the game. Joe Burrow threw for 271 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Chase Brown rushed for 97 yards and one score in the win. 

Prior to that victory, the Bengals defeated Dallas by a score of 27-20 but did lose the three games before that. The Cincinnati offense has scored 28.5 points per game with 271.4 passing yards and 91.1 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 27.6 points per game this season. Joe Burrow has completed 68.5% of his passes for 3,977 yards, 36 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while Ja’Marr Chase has caught 102 passes for 1,413 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. 

Why the Bengals will beat the Browns

• The Bengals have won each of their last eight Week 16 home games.
• The Browns have lost 23 of their last 25 road games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last six Sunday games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Browns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four Sunday games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Bengals have won the first quarter in five of their last six games against the Browns following a road win.
• The Bengals have won the first half in each of their last six Sunday games against teams that held a losing record.

Why the Browns will beat the Bengals

• The Bengals have lost three of their last four Sunday games as home favorites.
• The Browns have won each of their last two games as road underdogs following a home loss.
• The Browns have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs following a home loss.
• The Bengals have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games following a win.

Total Points Facts

• Ten of the Browns' last 11 Sunday games at Paycor Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
• Eight of the Bengals' last nine games as home favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
• Six of the last seven Sunday games at Paycor Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.

Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts

• Chase Brown has recorded 70+ rushing yards in four of the Bengals' last five games against AFC opponents.
• Chase Brown has recorded 100+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Bengals' last four games.
• Joe Burrow has recorded 286+ passing yards in five of his six previous December appearances at Paycor Stadium.
• Tee Higgins has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last five appearances against AFC North opponents.
• Tee Higgins has recorded 69+ receiving yards in each of his last six Sunday appearances.
• Joe Burrow has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of the Bengals' last eight games against AFC opponents.
• Joe Burrow has recorded 26+ completions in seven of his last eight home appearances.
• Heading into Week 16, Ja'Marr Chase ranks 1st in the NFL in receiving yards (1413) this season.

Cleveland Browns Player Prop Facts

• Nick Chubb has scored a touchdown in six of his seven appearances with the Browns as road underdogs against teams on a winning streak.
• Cedric Tillman has recorded 28+ receiving yards in each of his last four appearances following a loss.
• Nick Chubb has recorded 41+ rushing yards in 42 of his last 44 appearances following a loss.
• Nick Chubb has recorded 52+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his nine previous appearances with the Browns as underdogs following a home loss.
• Jameis Winston has recorded 247+ passing yards in 10 of his 12 previous December road appearances.
• Jameis Winston has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of the Browns' last three road games.
• Jameis Winston has recorded 24+ completions in four of the Browns' last five Sunday games.
• Heading into Week 16, Denzel Ward ranks 1st in the league for passes defensed (19) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Heading into Week 16, the Bengals rank 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game (27.6) this season.
• Heading into Week 16, the Bengals rank 31st in the NFL in sacks (25.0) this season.
• Heading into Week 16, the Browns rank 32nd in the NFL in Q2 points per game (3.6) this season.
• Heading into Week 16, the Browns rank 32nd in the NFL in Q3 opponent points per game (6.8) this season.

Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals Prediction 

Cincinnati comes into this matchup looking to extend their winning streak to three, and they will be at home for this game. The Bengals have the best passing offense in the NFL, but their defense is one of the worst in the league. Cleveland has lost three games in a row and they have only scored 21 points combined in their last two, but they should be able to throw it around against this Cincinnati secondary. The Browns have not announced who is starting at quarterback, but if Jameis plays, you can count on a few turnovers. This Cincinnati team has been an over machine and I don’t see how that changes here. Take the over in this matchup.