As NFL Sportsbook Fave, Cincy Might be in Trouble vs. Cleveland

As the NFL sportsbook favorite, the Cincinnati Bengals might actually be in some trouble versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Dec. 19th.

After signing wide receiver Terrell Owns, the Bengals switched their offensive game plan from mainly running the ball to throwing the ball. It hasn’t worked out for them very well since the Bengals are a ridiculously atrocious 2 and 11 straight up on the season.

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The rival Browns are actually at 5 and 8 and could, should they win their last 3 games, make it to .500. Why do I believe that the Bungles could be in trouble this Sunday? Keep reading to find out.

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

When: Dec. 19th, 2010 at 1:00 pm EST

TV: CBS

Radio: Sirius-XM 130 (CLE) 91 (CIN)

NFL Betting Line

Cleveland Browns -1 -110 O 40 -110

Cincinnati Bengals +1 -110 U 40 -110

The trends definitely favor the Cleveland Browns in this matchup.

• The Cleveland Browns are 4 and 1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• The Cleveland Browns are 15 and 3 ATS in their last 18 road games versus a team with a losing home record.
• The Cincinnati Bengals are 2 and 8 ATS in their last 10 home games.
• The Cincinnati Bengals are 1 and 8 ATS versus a team with a losing record.

Besides the trends, there are two other reasons why the Cleveland Browns should cover the betting spread in the NFL sportsbook. First, the Browns have a much better defense than many football handicappers believe. Second, the Browns have a devastating running back that should absolutely punish the Cincinnati Bengals defense.

The Bengals don’t have a terrible offense, rather they have a one-dimensional offense. Cincinnati averages 20.2 points and 317 yards per game. The problem is that out of those 317 yards, the Bengals only rush for 87.8 of it. Cincy passes for 229.5 yards per game. That’s a shame that the Bengals are so bad on the ground because Cleveland’s D is ranked 23rd against the rush. Unfortunately for the Bengals, Cleveland’s D is very good against the pass, yielding only 223.6 yards per game. What’s even better is the fact that the Browns have held their last 3 opponents: Carolina, Miami and Buffalo to less than 200 passing yards against them.

So, the Bengals offensive strength doesn’t play into Cleveland’s defensive weakness. That’s one of the reasons that football handicappers are hesitant to jump all over the Bengals in the NFL sportsbook even though they are only giving up a single point in the game. 57% of bettors so far favor the Bengals. I have a feeling that the number will be even less before kick off.

The second reason to absolutely love the Browns in this game is because a man named Peyton Hillis rushes the ball for them. Cincinnati gives up 124.8 yards per game on the ground. The Bengals allowed the Jets to rush for 170 yards per game against them and the Saints to rush for 146. Cleveland averages over 110 yards per game on the ground. It all starts with Hillis. The 6’ 2” 250 lb back has rushed for 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He averages 4.5 yards per game on the ground and has caught 57 passes for 446 yards and 2 touchdowns this season.

Any way I look at this game, I come to the same conclusion that the Cleveland Browns are the team to back in the NFL sportsbook. Because of their defensive secondary and the running of Peyton Hillis, the Browns should add to Cincinnati’s woes.

The Bengals have lost 10 games in a row since starting the season by winning 2 out of their first 3 games. Cincinnait is simply a terrible team. I don’t see how Cleveland doesn’t add an 11th straight loss onto the Bengals’ this Sunday.

NFL Betting Pick: Cleveland Browns +1 -110

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