Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS
The Browns win if…
Everything goes right on Sunday.
And by everything, I do mean everything. The ole “any given Sunday” adage definitely still holds true in today’s NFL – but with the modern-day Browns, that phrase tends to apply in a rather negative context week after week… after week. If the defense is able to keep Cincinnati at bay and force a tight game at halftime, there’s a chance for a wild ending to swing in Cleveland’s direction. But with all due respect, do any of us envision a Cleveland road win here?
The Bengals win if…
Andy Dalton and the offense doesn’t make the crucial late-game mistakes.
In this matchup, the only opportunity Cleveland has to keep it close revolves around their defense and its ability to create havoc in the third and fourth quarters. These AFC North games tend to be on the unpredictable side, especially this year in which all four AFC North squads come with attached question marks every week. Cincinnati is the better team, top to bottom. As long as they keep it simple and don’t make the lethal mistake(s) late in the game, they should have no problem cruising to a dub on Sunday.
Bengals collect statement win at home against Browns, win 28-14.