Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns MNF Pick

<p>Following a slow start to this season - a Super Bowl hangover, perhaps? - the Bengals seem to be coming around. Meanwhile, the rival Browns can’t seem to get out of their own way. That's the situation heading into the 98th meeting between these in-state rivals on Halloween Monday night in Cleveland.</p>
<p>Who do we like here for our free MNF pick?</p>
<h2>NFL Betting Lines </h2>
<p>The Week 8 NFL betting odds opened Cincinnati as a three-point favorite for Monday night, with an over/under of right around 46. Early betting action then edged that total down to 45.</p>
<h2>Bengals-Browns NFL Betting Preview </h2>
<p>Cincinnati started a tough 0-2 this season, but it's 4-1 SU, 5-0 ATS over its last five games after beating Atlanta last week 35-17. The Bengals scored touchdowns on their first four possessions of the game, led 21-0 in the second quarter, and 28-17 at the half. Cincinnati then scored the only seven points of the second half to secure the victory and the cover at -6.5.</p>
<p>The Bengals out-gained the Falcons 537-214 (!), as the passing attack, accounted for 457 yards. Cincinnati also won first downs 29-13 and time of possession 33:27.</p>
<p>Prior to last week, the Bengals had actually been out-gained by each of their previous three opponents, and they've been out-rushed by each of their last six foes. Yea, they've got quite a passing attack, but they've also got RB Joe Mixon. We wonder why Cincinnati doesn't feed that guy more.</p>
<p>At 4-3 overall, the Bengals trail 5-3 Baltimore by a half-game and a tie-breaker for the lead in the AFC North.</p>
<p>Cleveland, meanwhile, lugs a four-game losing skid into Monday night after falling at the Ravens last Sunday 23-20. The Browns drove the opening possession of the game 75 yards to a touchdown but trailed 13-10 at the half. Cleveland then fell down by two scores midway through the third quarter, pulled back to within a field goal with nine minutes left but later had a 60-yard field goal attempt blocked and lost.</p>
<p>However, the Browns covered ATS at +6.5.</p>
<p>Cleveland actually out-gained Baltimore 336-254 but got out-rushed 160-113 and lost time of possession 34:26.</p>
<p>We love the Browns' ground game, which is averaging 164 yards per game, but Cleveland's been out-rushed by each of its last four opponents, thanks to some porous run defense.</p>
<p>The Browns are 2-5 overall, but four of their losses have come by a total of nine points. They're also -6 on the turnover ratio over their last four games.</p>
<p>On the injury front, Cincinnati will be without WR Ja'Marr Chase for the next month or so due to a bad hip. Meanwhile, Cleveland is banged-up on defense. Bettors might be wise to consult later reports before getting down on this game.</p>
<h2>Bengals-Browns Recent History </h2>
<p>Cleveland owns a four-game winning streak on rival Cincinnati and is 7-1 over the last eight meetings. However, Joe Burrow only played in one of those games, a 41-16 Browns victory in the first meeting between the teams last season. Burrow and several other Bengals starters sat out last year's second meeting, a 21-16 Cleveland win because Cincinnati was already locked into its playoff seeding.<br />
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<span style="font-size:16px; color:#008000;">Get more details:</span> <a href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/nfl/matchup/1655081">Cincinnati at Clevlead Week 8 Betting Stats</a>
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<h2>NFL Betting Trends</h2>
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<li>Through Thursday night, home teams are 58-48 SU and 51-53 ATS in the NFL this season.</li>
<li>Through Thursday night, favorites are 65-43 SU and 46-59 ATS in the NFL this season.</li>
<li>Home dogs are 19-24 SU, 24-18-1 ATS in the NFL this season.</li>
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<p>Totals Report</p>
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<li>The Unders are 5-2 in Bengals games this season which are averaging 43 total points.</li>
<li>The Overs are 5-2 in Browns games this season and are averaging 51 points.</li>
<li>The Unders are 65-43 in the NFL this season. However, that sounds like a trend due for a correction.</li>
<li>The Overs are 7-1-1 over the last nine meetings between these teams.</li>
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