Bengals vs Browns Odds NFL Week 1 Picks: In-state and divisional rivals Cincinnati and Cleveland will open their respective seasons against one another on Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The odds makers are favoring the Browns at -6.5 points against the spread while the latest NFL Week 1 Picks have the game total set at 35.5 points. This weekend's AFC North rivalry tilt is scheduled for a 1:00pm ET kick off; it will be broadcast live on CBS.
Cincinnati experienced a difficult offseason
as quarterback Carson Palmer elected to retire rather than continue his tenure with the club. Palmer's departure, as well as the team's preseason performance, did little to comfort those who are expecting a last place AFC North finish for the Bengals.
Marvin Lewis' squad went 1-3 in exhibition play, losing to the Lions, Jets, and Colts by a combined total of 55 points. Rookie signal caller Andy Dalton, Palmer's immediate replacement under center, also struggled in the preseason, completing 36-of-60 passes for 328 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions (64 passer rating).
Dalton did give fans some reason for optimism in the final two games, though, as he connected on 17-of-26 passes for 173 yards and one score (92.5 passer rating).
Should Cincinnati establish the ground game with running back Cedric Benson, an upright Dalton has enough weapons in the passing game to hurt the Browns, including rookie wide out A.J. Green. Green will take the place of the departed Chad Ochocinco as the Bengals primary outside playmaker.
Cleveland, which also posted a 1-3 exhibition record, enters Sunday's game with a new head coach in Pat Shurmur. Shurmur, a longtime assistant to the Eagles Andy Reid, installed the West Coast offense in the offseason, which should suit second year quarterback Colt McCoy well.
McCoy certainly shined in three preseason outings, completing 28 of his 46 passes for 320 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in route to a 101.2 quarterback rating.
Last season these two teams split with each winning as a host. The Browns nearly took out the Bengals in a 19-17 week 15 loss at Paul Brown Stadium, but a 150 yard, one touchdown effort from Benson helped Cincinnati snap a 10 game losing streak. McCoy turned in an impressive 19-for-25, 243 yard, two touchdown performance in the loss, which happened to be Cleveland's ninth in its last 12 meetings with Cincinnati.
Bengals vs Browns Odds NFL Week 1 Picks: Provided by BetOnline.com
Cincinnati Bengals +6.5 (-110), Over 35.5 Points (-110), +240 (Moneyline)
Cleveland Browns -6.5 (-110), Under 35.5 Points (-110), -285 (Moneyline)
