Bengals Will Sit Starters In Finale Vs Browns

The Cincinnati Bengals (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS) have clinched a playoff spot with a 3-0 SU and ATS run over their last three games. The Bengals plan to rest most of their starters in Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns (7-9, 7-9).

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Browns opened as 1.5-point favorites at home and have since moved all the way up to Cleveland -6 after Cincinnati announced it would rest Joe Burrow and other starters. The total has also dropped significantly down to 38 points after originally Sportsbook at 46 points. The OVER is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the Bengals and Browns.

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Cincinnati News & Notes

Any doubts about the Bengals’ status as a legitimate contender in the AFC should have been put to rest by the team’s 34-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday as 3.5-point home underdogs.

Joe Burrow outdueled Patrick Mahomes with another dazzling performance, going 30-for-39 with 446 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and no interceptions. Burrow has completed 78.8 percent of his passes with an exceptional 971 passing yards and eight scoring strikes in his last two starts.

Burrow will get the day off Sunday and will be replaced by Brandon Allen. Allen went 90-for-142 with 925 passing yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions in five appearances last season. The Bengals will also have a handful of other starters, including Joe Mixon, out due to COVID-19 protocols or rest.

Cleveland News & Notes

Baker Mayfield’s disappointing 2021 season came to an underwhelming end on Monday night in a 26-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mayfield went 16-for-38 with 185 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in what would prove to be his final game of the season as he has been shut down with a left shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Case Keenum will get the start on Sunday against Cincinnati.

What a difference a year makes. The Browns seemed to finally be on track last year with an 11-5 SU record in the regular season and a road win over the Steelers in the playoffs. But with an 0-3 SU run over its last three games, Cleveland resigned itself to a losing season and fell out of playoff contention. This team will have some major question marks, including the quarterback position, to address this offseason.

How Cincinnati Will Cover

Cleveland’s offense has averaged a dismal 14.8 points over its last seven games. Even with most of their starters resting, the Bengals backups could scratch out enough points to cover the spread against this underwhelming Browns team that doesn’t have anything to play for.

How Cleveland Will Cover

Case Keenum played well in a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos in relief of Mayfield back in October. Keenum is a veteran backup who shouldn’t be a significant downgrade from Mayfield, and facing a resting team at home, even a decent performance on offense may be enough to get the job done. 

Computer Pick: Bengals +6

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