The Cincinnati Bengals travel across Ohio to take on the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North showdown to kick off the NFL regular season. This game pits two franchises that were underwhelmed by their 2024 campaigns. They both have hopes of a Week 1 win, but only one can emerge victorious.
The kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET with the game airing on FOX. Those looking to wager on this matchup are in luck. The best Ohio sportsbooks offer a variety of markets to give users extra interest.
The oddsmakers favor Cincinnati ahead of kickoff as the Bengals are 4.5- to 5.5-point favorites across all of Ohio’s top sportsbooks. The over/under is between 47.5 and 48.5 points, depending on the platform.
Browns vs. Bengals predictions and best bets
Browns +5.5: -115 at BetMGM
Jerome Ford Over 42.5 Rushing Yards: -110 at bet365
David Njoku Over 4.5 Receptions: -140 at bet365
The Browns sweep our best bets section, and a large part of it comes from the low expectations surrounding the team. However, there is more to like about this team than it has received credit for. I want them to stay within six points at the least against a Bengals team that is notoriously slow out of the gates,
A key part of Cleveland’s success will be what type of production it gets out of the backfield. Ford was underwhelming last season on the stat sheet, but a large part of that boiled down to the injuries on the offensive line. Look for the veteran to have a statement game against a team that had the 11th-worst tackling grade last season.
Tight end David Njoku was targeted 56 times in the six games Joe Flacco started in 2023. That familiarity and connection never leaves, especially for a veteran passer like Flacco, who has no issue letting one pass catcher hog targets all game. Njoku notched this mark in eight of 11 games last season, and the Bengals allowed more receptions to tight ends than any other team in the league. This line seems extremely favorable to the over.
Browns vs. Bengals moneyline analysis
Why the Bengals could win as the favorite
Best odds:-225 at FanDuel
The Bengals are the favorite across the board. BetMGM gives Cincinnati the best chance of victory, offering a moneyline of -250, with FanDuel offering the best value to bettors at -225.
It’s nearly impossible to discuss the Cincinnati Bengals without starting with the talent of their offense. The team led the league in passing yards and was third in points per game. The unstoppable pairing of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for an average of over 176 yards per game — the most of any receiving duo in the league.
Despite the team’s struggles, they still beat the Browns in both matchups last season. A significant portion of the Bengals’ struggles in 2024 was due to defensive inefficiencies. However, the hiring of defensive coordinator Al Golden and the addition of three new players on the front seven could be enough to reform the unit.
Flacco went on a magical run as the Browns’ quarterback in 2023, but the veteran passer is now 40 years old and struggled when taking over as the Colts’ starter last season. It’s unlikely the team will recapture the same magic as it did in the past.
Why the Browns could win as the underdog
Best odds:+205 at Caesars
Oddsmakers across all top sportsbooks view the Browns as underdogs, but the lines vary by platform. FanDuel Sportsbook gives Cleveland the best chance to win with a moneyline of +188, while Caesars provides the best value at +205.
Optimism for the Cleveland Browns to secure an opening-day victory begins with the struggles on the other sideline. The Bengals are 1-5 under head coach Zac Taylor in Week 1 of the season, and the team is notorious for how much worse it looks early in the season.
2024 was rough for Browns fans; the team was one of the worst in the league, and many expect things to remain the same this season. However, injuries piled up, resulting in the on-field product consisting of a large number of backups. This team has a much better chance to compete with a healthy roster, which won’t be an issue for Week 1 at least.
One of the best ways to neutralize the Bengals’ offense is to make QB Joe Burrow uncomfortable. The Browns had the third-highest pressure percentage in the NFL last season and made additions such as Mason Graham to the defensive line to help increase that already impressive number.
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