Sunday sees the Browns and Bengals meeting at Paycor Stadium. Neither team has a postseason to play for, but they’ll be desperate to beat a divisional and state rival.
My early Browns vs. Bengals predictions and NFL picks expect Cincinnati to cover the spread on January 4.
Browns vs Bengals predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
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Early Browns vs Bengals spread pick: Bengals -7.5
The Cleveland Browns come into this having beaten another AFC North rival in the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. We’ve seen real improvement over the past couple of weeks with some good performances. They’ve done that with Shedeur Sanders being capable, although unspectacular, and doing enough to get the offense over the line.
The majority of these improved performances have been based on incredible defensive work, with a stop unit ranked Top 5 in DVOA.
The Cincinnati Bengals are very much the total opposite to the Browns. They are terrible defensively, ranking 30th in DVOA, giving up the most rushing yards per game, the sixth-most passing yards per game, and the second-most points per game.
However, they have Joe Burrow, and when the former LSU man is playing at his best, they’re capable of beating anybody in the NFL.
The team is 1-8 when Burrow is sidelined, but 5-2 when the 29-year old is healthy and on the field. Over the past two weeks, they’ve dismantled the Dolphins and Cardinals, putting up 82 points. The Bengals are 8-8 ATS, but when Burrow is playing, that changes to 5-2 ATS.
He’s ending the season well, and with the Browns not putting up big offensive numbers, it should give the Bengals a chance to get away from them and cover the spread.
Early Browns vs Bengals total pick: Under 44.5
The Browns are facing a terrible defense, but that still doesn’t mean we’re going to see them put up big numbers.
They’ve struggled all season to put up high scores, and only the Raiders have put up fewer than the 16.2 points per game that the Browns have. Over the past three weeks, the Browns have scored just 36 points in total. Even if that increases slightly, it still won’t be enough to hit the Over.
The Under is 4-2 when the Browns are a road ‘dog, and 3-2 in divisional games.
Despite Burrow improving the Bengals’ offense of late, we’ve still seen the Under go 4-3 in the games in which he’s played. The Browns gave up just six points to the Steelers on Sunda,y and only 23 to Josh Allen’s Bills the week before that. They’ll be capable of keeping the Bengals’ offensive juggernaut somewhat in check.
Browns vs Bengals odds
- Browns vs. Bengals spread: Bengals -7.5
- Browns vs. Bengals moneyline: Browns +310, Bengals -390
- Browns vs. Bengals Over/Under: 44.5
How to watch Browns vs Bengals
- Browns vs. Bengals matchup
- Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
- City: Cincinnati, OH
- Venue: Paycor Stadium
- TV: CBS
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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