Bengals vs Browns Betting Odds: Can Watson Benefit from Full Preseason?

The Cincinnati Bengals will begin their regular season with a divisional NFL matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

The Bengals finished last year’s regular season with eight straight wins. However, the Bengals were eventually eliminated from the NFL playoffs in the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs.

In training camp, star quarterback Joe Burrow injured his calf. He didn’t participate in any preseason action before the regular season. However, he’ll be cleared for Week 1 against the Browns.

On the other hand, Deshaun Watson will take center stage with the Browns at quarterback. He only played six games last season due to a suspension. The former Pro-Bowler didn’t look great in his return with the Browns last year. However, 2023 is a new NFL season. A complete training camp and preseason with Watson likely helped the offense prepare for this season.

Here’s a look at the Bengals vs Browns betting odds for Sunday’s Week 1 action.

Encouraging News for Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals tabbed Joe Burrow as day-to-day with a calf injury he sustained earlier in training camp this year.

The plan was always for Burrow to be ready for Week 1 against the Browns, and it doesn’t seem like that’s changed now.

Burrow threw for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. He also threw just 12 interceptions but had a QBR of 60.8, which probably should’ve been better.

The Bengals’ offense hasn’t changed much from last year. Burrow is at quarterback, Joe Mixon is at running back, and the three clutch wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, are all back.

The only differences are Irv Smith Jr. at tight end and rookie Chase Brown as the backup running back. Brown will try and take Samaje Perine’s role after Perine left Cincinnati for Denver.

The offense was 7th in the NFL last season with 25.7 points per game. However, it likely would’ve been more if the offensive line had done their job.

The Bengals were poor in pass protection and with the run block. The hope is that the Bengals can improve the offensive line after last year’s subpar performance.

Meanwhile, the defense for Cincinnati was overlooked last year. The Bengals allowed 19.6 points per game. The secondary played exceptionally well. The Bengals also rarely missed tackles. The run defense was the only area where the Bengals struggled slightly. But overall, the defense played exceptionally well last season.

Should CB Denzel Ward Consider Retirement?

The Cleveland Browns are preparing for their Week 1 matchup against the Bengals. However, they might be without their star cornerback, Denzel Ward, after he landed on the NFL injury report with another concussion.

Ward joined the Browns in 2018. Since then, he’s had four concussions. After a while, you want to see players making the right decisions for their bodies. He’s susceptible to concussions, and the lingering effects might not be worth it in the long run.

Ward has played in 66 games and has added 13 interceptions with two touchdowns on the defensive end. He’s one of the elite players on the Browns’ defense. But now we’re unsure if he’ll even get to suit up after his pre-season concussion in Week 3 against the Chiefs.

The Browns were terrible against the run last year, but they had some success with the secondary. However, if Ward has to miss time, that secondary will have less depth, which could lead to some big plays down the field for the Bengals.

The Browns allowed 135 yards per game on the ground. That was 25th in the NFL last season. Pair that with a beat-up secondary, and the Browns don’t look very dangerous on defense.

All they’ve got is Myles Garrett, who was fourth on the NFL sack leaders list last season with 16.

Meanwhile, the offense wasn’t so dangerous last year, either. Watson played six games for the Browns last year due to a suspension. In those six games, he looked nothing like his old self, throwing for seven touchdowns and five interceptions in the six games.

Watson also completed only 58.2% of passes, a career low.

Other than Elijah Moore at at wide receiver, like the Bengals, the Browns didn’t make many changes on offense.

The Cleveland season is on Watson’s shoulders.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns

Let’s break down the Bengals vs Browns betting odds. The Bengals and Browns have one of the closer NFL point spreads in Week 1 of the NFL season.

The Bengals are 2.5-point favorites. They’re also sitting at -135 on the moneyline, while the Browns are at +115. Meanwhile, this game’s total is 47.5, with neither the Over or Under juiced.

The Browns will likely get through the offensive line and create opportunities for sacks and tackles for losses. However, if Joe Burrow is given enough time to throw the football, the secondary could struggle to stop receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins from doing severe damage in this game.

Cincinnati also won’t be afraid to run the football, knowing their star quarterback is still recovering from a calf injury. There’s a good chance Joe Mixon and Chase Brown break out some significant gains against a Browns defense that was dreadful against the run last season.

The Bengals are undoubtedly the better defense coming into this game. They’ll be tasked with containing Deshaun Watson, who should be more comfortable in a Cleveland Browns uniform. But after Watson completed just over 58% of passes last year, it’s hard to imagine Watson getting much better.

He didn’t make throws that he used to make. Time away from football likely didn’t help. But he’s looking like an overpay by the Browns more and more each day.

Back The Bengals On The Road!

Once the Bengals earn some momentum on the ground, the play-action game will start to develop against a Browns defense that didn’t play well last year.

Denzel Ward is questionable and will be a game-time decision. His potential absence will hurt this NFL team in the backfield.

The only area where the Browns have the advantage is with the offensive line. But if Watson can’t be more accurate in the passing game, it won’t even matter.

The Bengals beat the Browns in the NFL Football standings last year, and they’ll be at the top of the standings, above the Browns this season, too.

The Bengals vs Browns betting odds have the Browns winning this game 45.45% of the time. We disagree. Take the Bengals against the spread at -2.5 for Sunday’s matchup.

For NFL betting news, NFL odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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