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It's been a long wait coming off that Falcons win, but on Sunday Browns fans get to see the I-71 Showdown. Teams with a late bye week usually limp into the bye hoping to get healthy. The Browns bucked tradition by playing their most impressive game in week ten. The offensive line creeped into Pro Football Focus's top ten in the NFL as a group. Baker Mayfield looked his most comfortable since the Jets game. Nick Chubb looked like the game has slowed down for him. Last but not least, Duke was finally used properly. If the receiving group steps up, the offense would give any opponent concern.
Meanwhile the Bengals have been fading after a hot start to the season on offense. The right side of the Bengals line in particular has struggled to keep pass rushers off Dalton. On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati has suffered their least impressive defensive squad in decades. The linebackers can't stop the run and rarely cover their assignments in the pass. The defensive backfield gives up plenty of yards after the run has been established. Marvin Lewis has essentially stepped aside from the head coaching duties for the week to try to right the ship on defense.
So with all that drama the Bengals are still favored by three, basically because the Browns haven't won a road game since Uptown Funk came out. This feels like the best opportunity in a long time to break the streak.
Im looking forward to seeing the Browns DBs face off against the Bengals air attack. Tyler Boyd has continued to excel as the size slot receiver with AJ Green and John Ross expected back to full strength to face off against a Browns defensive backfield that may be at full strength as well. If Terrance Mitchell is back, this is going to be an entertaining matchup.
Prediction: Browns in an upset 27 - 17.
Meanwhile the Bengals have been fading after a hot start to the season on offense. The right side of the Bengals line in particular has struggled to keep pass rushers off Dalton. On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati has suffered their least impressive defensive squad in decades. The linebackers can't stop the run and rarely cover their assignments in the pass. The defensive backfield gives up plenty of yards after the run has been established. Marvin Lewis has essentially stepped aside from the head coaching duties for the week to try to right the ship on defense.
So with all that drama the Bengals are still favored by three, basically because the Browns haven't won a road game since Uptown Funk came out. This feels like the best opportunity in a long time to break the streak.
Im looking forward to seeing the Browns DBs face off against the Bengals air attack. Tyler Boyd has continued to excel as the size slot receiver with AJ Green and John Ross expected back to full strength to face off against a Browns defensive backfield that may be at full strength as well. If Terrance Mitchell is back, this is going to be an entertaining matchup.
Prediction: Browns in an upset 27 - 17.