Bengals vs Browns Week 1 NFL Betting Preview & Predictions
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Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) vs. Cleveland Browns (0-0)
Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, September 11, 2011
Venue: Cleveland Browns Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Bengals vs. Browns Gambling Odds from BetOnline
Spread: Browns -6.5
Moneyline: Browns (-290) Bengals (+245)
Over/Under: 35.5
Bengals vs. Browns ATS Gambling Stats –>
The battle of Ohio will kick off the 2011-2012 season for the Browns and the Bengals. The Bengals have won seven of the last ten meetings between these teams, but Cincinnati seems to be in a state of disarray right now. The Bengals will start the season with a rookie quarterback since Carson Palmer has decided to “semi-retire.” The Browns were an improved football team last year, and they’ll look to take the next step this season.
Andy Dalton won’t get any time to sit and study behind a veteran. He’ll be the starter from day one for the Bengals. Dalton was extremely successful at TCU, but learning Jay Gruden’s offense and adapting to the speed of the NFL will certainly be a challenge. It should help Dalton that he will have some nice targets to get the ball to this year. A.J. Green was the Bengals top pick, and reports out of camp say Green has been terrific this summer. Jermaine Gresham was the Bengals top draft pick last year, and Dalton loves to hit the tight end, so Gresham might have a breakout season. Cedric Benson’s numbers dropped last year, but the Bengals will need him to be a workhorse in the backfield this year.
Cincinnati will likely be counting on its defense to keep them in the game this year. Domata Peko is healthy again and he should anchor the defensive front. Rey Maualuga has been moved to the middle linebacker spot this year. Keith Rivers should be productive on the outside, but he is listed as doubtful for this game. The Bengals have a couple good cornerbacks, but the safety spots could be a weakness. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Colt McCoy will start the season as the Browns quarterback in his second year in the NFL. McCoy did a nice job in his rookie campaign last season. He’ll need to cut down on his interceptions, but that is something that should come with experience. The Browns found an absolute star when they picked up Peyton Hillis. Hillis went from being buried deep on the depth chart to gracing the cover of the Madden video game series. He ran for 1,177 yards last year, and he also caught 61 passes out of the backfield. The Browns offensive line is coming together nicely, but they need a play maker to step up on the outside to help this offense.
Defensively, the Browns were tied for 13th in the NFL in scoring defense last year, but that was because they forced teams to kick field goals and turn the football over. The Browns were 22nd in total defense and 27th in the NFL against the run. Phil Taylor is a big 355 pound tackle that Cleveland drafted to help clog up the middle of the defensive front. Joe Haden had six interceptions in his rookie season, and he looks like he could quickly become one of the best corners in the league.
It’s hard to imagine Dalton coming into the NFL and being great right away. The Browns secondary is pretty good, and I think the Bengals will struggle to move the ball. The Bengals defense isn’t bad either, and I think the best play here is the under.
Free NFL Pick: Bengals/Browns under 35.5
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