Betsided

Bengals vs. Browns Updated Odds and Prediction: What Bettors Need to Know

By Matt De Saro

Week 18 brings us a battle of the backups when the Bengals and Brandon Allen take on the Browns and Case Keenum.
Week 18 brings us a battle of the backups when the Bengals and Brandon Allen take on the Browns and Case Keenum. / Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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The Cleveland Browns will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals in a battle of backup quarterbacks in Week 18. Earlier in the week, I was pretty pumped for this game but over the last few days, the status of several key players has changed. As has my excitement level for this game.

On Monday, the Bengals were still considering starting Joe Burrow despite a nagging injury and making a longshot run at the No. 1 seed in the AFC. As underdogs in this game, I thought they had some good value too. However, in the days since, Joe Mixon has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unavailable for Sunday’s game. Therefore, the Bengals saw no need to risk the health of their starting QB to try and win a game without his best weapon in the backfield.

The news about Mixon comes on the heels of several other key players for the Bengals being added to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Vonn Bell, Trey Hendrickson, Quinton Spain, and Trey Hopkins are all starters and all out of this week’s game. 

At 10-6, the Bengals can do no worse than a No. 4 seed but still have a slim chance to get to the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. 

The Browns will also be without their starting QB after Baker Mayfield was placed on IR yesterday due to a torn labrum. He will undergo surgery next week. 

Here are the updated odds for this Week 18 matchup between second-string QBs, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Bengals vs. Browns Updated Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Bengals: +6 (-110) / Opened +2.5
  • Browns: -6 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Bengals: +200 / Opened +127
  • Browns: -250 / Opened -155

Total:

  • 38 (Over -110/Under -110) / Opened 43

Bengals vs. Browns Betting Trends

  • Bengals are 8-8 against the spread in their last 16 games. 
  • Bengals are 3-5 ATS in their last eight games as an underdog. 
  • Bengals are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games. 
  • Bengals are 4-1 ATS in their last five division games. 
  • Browns are 7-8 ATS in their last 15 games. 
  • Browns are 2-5 ATS as a favorite.

Bengals vs. Browns Prediction and Pick

So, instead of Burrow and Baker, we are going to have to sit through Brandon Allen vs Case Keenum. However, the fact remains that the Bengals have a chance to gain the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. A ton of other things need to happen but the Bengals need to win to even have a shot. And, I believe that they still can even with Allen under center. Sure, they are dealing with a lot of COVID absences, but the team is full of guys hungry for a win and a shot at a round-one bye. 

Allen has been called upon a few times this season to finish off games that were deemed out of reach. In five appearances this year, Allen is 2-for-5 with 13 yards and a touchdown. His QBR is 36.7 and he has no interceptions.

Now, Allen has a shot to show his stuff once again against a Bengals team that looks as deflated as a ball from the 2014 AFC Championship Game. While the Bengals have a lot of depth on offense the Browns don’t and struggled this year when missing key offensive components. Case Keenum brings a veteran presence to this team but he hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2018 when he played 16 games for the Denver Broncos. 

So, who comes out on top here? Well, I think that despite all the bad news they got this week, the Bengals are still a better team. Ultimately, the Bengals have a reason to win this game and I expect them to play their asses off in the hopes of gaining the No. 1 seed. 

Pick: Cincinnati Bengals +200 to win

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