Browns vs. Bengals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can PJ Walker, Browns Shock Bengals?
Browns vs. Bengals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can PJ Walker, Browns Shock Bengals?
The Cleveland Browns will likely rest its starters for Week 18. It's unclear who will play at quarterback for the Browns if it's not Flacco. However, it'll likely be P.J. Walker. But after a four-game winning streak, the Browns can take a breather.
They're headed to the playoffs regardless of the outcome of this game.
Amari Cooper has a heel injury, Elijah Moore has a concussion, and David Njoku, Jerome Ford, and Kareem Hunt are other players who could get some rest.
On the other hand, the Bengals are no longer in the playoff hunt. They've been eliminated at 8-8 on the season. The chances for the Bengals ultimately fell apart when Joe Burrow got hurt. But Cincinnati is the favorite for Sunday's game and could finish out the season with a winning record.
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game between the Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals.
Browns vs. Bengals Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date:Â January 7, 2024
- Game Time:Â 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch:Â CBS
Browns vs. Bengals Odds
- Spread: Browns +6 (-110), Bengals -6 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 38.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Browns (+220), Bengals (-270)
Browns vs. Bengals Injury Report
Browns
Questionable: LB Anthony Walker Jr. (Knee), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (Pectoral), PK Dustin Hopkins (Hamstring), WR Amari Cooper (Heel), P Corey Bojorquez (Quad), WR Elijah Mitchell (Head)
Out: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Hip), S Grant Delpit (Groin)
Bengals
Questionable: CB Jalen Davis (Groin)
Out: DT DJ Reader (Quad), DJ Ivey (Knee)
Browns vs. Bengals Prediction
With the Browns expected to bench their starters, it sounds like P.J. Waker will get an opportunity to be the starting quarterback for the Browns this weekend.
Walker was demoted to being the No. 4 quarterback on the roster after the Browns added Joe Flacco to the roster. Walker lost playing time to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. When Thompson-Robinson went down, the Browns weren't confident enough with Walker and elected to give Joe Flacco a chance.
Walker threw for 674 yards this season. However, he also had one passing touchdown and five interceptions, with a QBR of 19.7.
The Bengals aren't a good defense. However, the pass rush has always been effective. As long as Cincinnati gets some pressure on Walker, they'll likely force some errors and make plays as a defense.
Meanwhile, the Bengals weren't elite with Jake Browning at quarterback. But he's a better option than Walker, for example.
Browning had a 58.5 QBR with nine passing touchdowns and six interceptions. With Cleveland's second-stringers likely on defense, Browning should be able to earn some big plays down the field.
After all, the Bengals still scored nearly 21 points per game with 234.38 yards in the air per game.
Browning only threw for 197 yards in Cincinnati's loss to Kansas City. But before that game, he had thrown for at least 275 yards in the other four matchups.
If Ja'Marr Chase is healthy, alongside Tee Higgins, the Bengals should be able to put enough points on the board to earn a winning season and their final home game of the year.
Take the Bengals at -6.
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Pick
- Bengals -6 -110 Â is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.