CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns open their season on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field, hosting their in-state rivals, the Bengals. Cincinnati has won four of the last five matchups between the two teams, but the Browns have always managed to hold their own in these matchups.
Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe previewed Sunday’s Week 1 matchup in their weekly picks video. You can also see their picks below.
Ashley Bastock
Storyline: The Browns’ defensive line as a whole. They will be disruptive and potentially the best part of the team this year.
Pick: Browns 21, Bengals 14
Mary Kay Cabot
Storyline: What Joe Flacco will do with the new offense, which includes players like Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond. The defense will rise to the occasion. Will the offense score enough points for the win?
Pick: Browns 24, Bengals 23
Dan Labbe
Storyline: Too many people in Cleveland are picking a Browns win, so it might be smart to “fade the public.” This is a vibes check game to see if the team’s much talked-about culture change is real now that they are facing their first test.
Pick: Bengals 22, Browns 16
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