Cincinnati (4-3) at Cleveland (2-5)
When: Monday, October 31st 2022
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium,
Cleveland, OH
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Cincinnati -3/45
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The Battle of Ohio will be showcased on prime time, as the Cleveland Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football to conclude the Week 8 schedule. The Bengals come in as 3-point favorites with a total of 45 despite a major piece missing from the offense. Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is expected to miss four to six weeks with a hip injury sustained during last week’s 35-17 home win over the Atlanta Falcons. That victory marked Cincinnati’s fourth win in five games after starting the season 0-2. Chase, who was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, is off a great start in 2022. He leads the team in catches (47), receiving yards (605) and receiving touchdowns (six), with four of those scores coming in the last two games. Other injury concerns entering Monday’s game are cornerback Eli Apple (hamstring) and tight end Hayden Hurst (groin, ankle), who were both limited on Thursday. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck), offensive tackle La’el Collins (ankle/rest), wide receiver Stanley Morgan (hamstring) and nose tackle Josh Tupou (calf) did not practice.
Joe Burrow has broken out of an early-season slump in a big way. In last week’s win over Atlanta, Burrow passed for 481 yards and three scores and also rushed for a touchdown. He became the third player in NFL history with at least 475 passing yards, three touchdown passes and one rushing touchdowns in a single game. It was Burrow’s fifth career game with at least 400 passing yards, surpassing Dan Marino (four) for the most such games in his first three seasons. Wideouts Tee Higgins (31 catches, 455 yards, two touchdowns) and Tyler Boyd (29, 455, three) will be looked upon to pick up the slack for the injured Chase. Joe Mixon had 91 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown last week and boasts 558 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns in his last four games against Cleveland. The Bengals have a plus-10 touchdown differential, only second to the Bills. On defense, Cincinnati has yet to surrender a second-half touchdown and are 8-1 ATS in their past nine on the road.
By the time Watson returns from his 11-game suspension, the Browns might already be eliminated from playoff contention. Cleveland had a chance to tie the game last week at Baltimore, but a false-start on a 56-yard field goal attempt moved it back another five yards and the next one was blocked. Brissett wasn’t terrible, completing 22-of-27 for 258 yards but no touchdowns. The Browns will always have their rushing attack lead the way behind Nick Chubb, who leads the NFL in both rushing yards (740) and rushing touchdowns (8). He had 91 yards and a score last week against the Ravens. Deion Jones recorded five tackles in his season debut and will likely will be elevated to a starter’s role after fellow linebacker Jacob Phillips (pectoral) was placed on injured reserve. The Over is 4-0 in the Browns’ last four home games.
The Bengals are missing a key piece in Chase, but the weapons are still there and Burrow is locked-in. The Browns are a mess right now and are dealing with key injuries on defense. Cincinnati should be able to win this one easily.
Pick: Bengals -3
