Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Matchup Preview (9/17/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Matchup Preview (9/17/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

It will be a battle of two 1st overall picks, Baker Mayfield versus Joe Burrow, both trying to bounce back after losing in Week 1. AJ Green and Odell Beckham Jr. will both look to get going and reclaim a spot as an elite WR in the game. Expect offense and fireworks in this Thursday Night Matchup.

For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Thursday, September 17th, 2020
Time: 5:20 PM ET
Location: Paul Brown Stadium – Cincinnati, Ohio
TV Coverage: NFLN

Browns vs. Bengals Live Stream

Where can you watch Browns vs. Bengals online? You can stream this game and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Browns vs. Bengals Free Online Now.

Injuries:

Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wilson Jr. (Shin) Q, Oliver Vernon (Abdominal) Q, JC Tretter (Knee) Q, Kevin Johnson (Upper Body) OUT, Jack Conklin (Ankle) Q, Chris Hubbard (Ankle) Q, Greedy Williams (Shoulder) Q, Jacob Phillips (Knee) Q, Jacob Phillips (Knee) Q, Robert Jackson (Finger) Q, Alex Taylor (Undisclosed) IR, Curtis Weaver (Foot) IR, David Njoku (Knee) IR, Gran Delpit (Achillies) IR, Mack Wilson (Knee) OUT, George Obinna (Tricep) IR
Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Su’a-Filo (Ankle) OUT, Sam Hubbard (knee) Q, Mike Daniels (Groin) Q, Geno Atkins (Shoulder) Q, Shawn Williams (Calf) Q, Trae Waynes (Pectoral) IR, Renell Wren (Quadraicep) IR

Cleveland Browns Analysis

It was a horrible week for the Browns versus the Ravens. While the defense did give up 38 points, they started the game off well and got a turnover early to keep their team in it. Where the Browns were let down was the QB position and the offensive line. Baker Mayfield needs to play better to win this game against the Bengals. This will be the key to the game.

In the matchup Sunday, Odell Beckham Jr. got himself open several times against a great Ravens secondary and he was either overthrown or not thrown to at all on those plays. This can quickly turn ugly with Landry and Beckham’s attitude so it is absolutely necessary to get Baker throwing them the ball and throwing better passes. On top of this, the offensive line needs to keep Baker clean in the pocket so he can take his shots after handing the ball off to Hunt and Chubb.

Nick Chubb will surely get the ball more in this matchup; however, the one-two punch of Chubb and Hunt seemingly was just Hunt in the Ravens game. Getting Chubb going on the ground and breaking big plays like he can will be crucial to helping relieve pressure on Mayfield.

On the defensive side of the ball stopping Joe Mixon will be priority number one, with priority number two being getting pressure on Burrow. Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi at defensive tackle will both look to have better games as Joe Mixon has the ability to put this offense on his back and that needs to be stopped. Joe Burrow looked pretty decent in his first game but struggled a bit with pressure in his face and that is exactly what the Browns front 4 can do and did do against the Ravens.

Denzel Ward versus AJ Green will be an absolutely sensational matchup in the secondary and something that Browns fans should keep a close eye on. Hollywood Brown burned the secondary pretty bad in the last game. If AJ Green has that kind of game for the Bengals I am not sure if the Browns can win.

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart

QB: Baker Mayfield
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: Kareem Hunt
WR1: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR2: Jarvis Landry
WR3: Rashard Higgins
TE: Austin Hooper
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Cincinnati Bengals Analysis

Joe Burrow looked great, Randy Bullock not so much. The comeback last week against the Chargers was great and they were one FG away from bringing that game to overtime. The defense that they are facing this week is not on the same level of the Chargers but is another talented group of players. I foresee a Joe Burrow breakout game on Thursday Night.

On the offensive side of the ball, Zach Taylor will look to get Joe Mixon going, which he just simply could not do against the Chargers’ front. However, Mixon will get a good mix of rushes and screens in an attempt to exploit the Browns’ defense just like the Ravens did. How this younger offensive line deals with the Browns’ front 4 will be crucial to this success. Can the offensive line get the push, and can they move laterally quickly enough to open up some holes?

If Mixon can relieve some of the pass rush for Burrow then I see Burrow having an amazing game. The Browns’ secondary is beaten up and he has so many weapons between Boyd, Green, and Ross that I do not see a world where he does not succeed given time in the pocket. Joe Burrow will also be allowed to run. Not to the extent of Lamar Jackson, but Burrow’s rush game can make a huge difference in this game.

On the defensive side of the ball the front 7 over-performed against the Chargers. They did a much better job than I expected against Ekler and Kelly. However, this is a new test. The Browns’ offensive line is just as talented and the RBs are far more explosive. This part of the game scares me, the Bengals may have to sell out to stop the run and leave their secondary exposed against the likes of OBJ and Landry.

The secondary benefited last week from the fact that Tyrod Taylor is not a good QB. However, they once again could be bailed out by the fact that Baker Mayfield also has looked atrocious. If the secondary can come up with some game-changing interceptions due to errant Mayfield passes, then that is how they can affect this game. In coverage, I think that they can only hope to slow and keep the elite weapons for the Browns in front of them. They will count on a pass rush and a bad week from Mayfield to stop them.

Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart

QB: Joe Burrow
RB1: Joe Mixon
RB2: Giovani Bernard
WR1: A.J. Green
WR2: Tyler Boyd
WR3: Tee Higgins
TE: C.J. Uzomah

Betting Corner CIN +7

The Line
Spread: CLE: -7
Moneyline: CIN: (+250) | CLE: (-300)
Over/Under: 45.5

My Picks
Spread: CIN: +7
Moneyline: CIN: (+250)
Over/Under: OVER 45.5

This game is going to be a shootout. The Bengals and Browns defenses are both below average, and both offenses are above average. If Mayfield can play better, and Burrow takes a slight step forward against a much easier secondary, then this game will easily cover the over. When it comes to the score I honestly believe that the Bengals take it and Burrow brings home a victory on the back of dimes to AJ Green and Tyler Boyd. The +7 is a crazy line to me, considering that the Chargers are a much tougher matchup for the Bengals than the Browns.

Prediction: 28-20 Bengals over the Browns.

Daily Fantasy Picks

Joe Burrow at $5,900 I think Burrow could be an absolute steal. The Browns are still beat up in the secondary and I do not think that they can cover all the threats in the Bengals offense. Burrow looked good, not great in his debut but should have a much easier time in his second game. He also provides you with the rushing capabilities to have a big game on the ground, which is great in DKs scoring format. One of the cheaper options that has the potential for a huge game this week.

AJ Green at $6,100 this may seem pricey for the man; however, he looked absolutely phenomenal in his first game back. He was double covered for most of the game but still was getting separation and making plays. I think that Green will double his point total from the Chargers game and this could be my favorite stack of the week paired up with Burrow. A low % ownership play due to his price and production I think that Green is a great pivot this week.

Odell Beckham Jr. at $5,600, I do not think that there are any other former top 5 WRs who are getting 10+ targets a game that you can get for under $6,000. Yes, I know, Mayfield was bad; however, this value is insane for the #1 WR. Looking at last week Mayfield was always set-up to fail: Baltimore is a dominant defense, it was the first game with no preseason in a new offense, Mayfield was asked to do things he has never done before, and he has changed his footwork. OBJ can win you huge money this week on DFS and he will have the targets to do so. It will simply come down to Mayfield being accurate enough.

C.J. Uzomah at $3,800 got 6 targets last game and Burrow will rely on his TE as a rookie QB. Maybe not the very best value you can get at the position but I think Uzomah has a solid floor with touchdown upside at a very reasonable price. This game is projected to be higher scoring than the Chargers game so you should be able to add a few more plays and tick on even more targets for him. Another low ownership play that could be a great pivot.