The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns will face off in Week 1 of the NFL season. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will broadcast live on FOX.
The Bengals are 5.5-point favorites over the Browns on the spread (Bengals -5.5), with the over/under set at 47.5 total points. Cincinnati is a -250 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +200 to pull off the upset.
Led by Joe Burrow, the Bengals are heavy favorites entering the 2025 NFL season. But should they be? Can Joe Flacco and the Browns keep it close against an uninspiring Bengals defense? Continue below for my Bengals vs Browns predictions and NFL picks for Sunday, September 7.
Bengals vs Browns Prediction, Picks
- Bengals vs Browns pick: Browns +5.5 (-110)
My Browns vs. Bengals best bet is on Cleveland to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Bengals vs Browns Odds for NFL Week 1
| Bengals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 47.5 -115o / -105u | -250 |
| Browns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 47.5 -115o / -105u | +200 |
- Bengals vs Browns spread: Bengals -5.5
- Bengals vs Browns over/under: 47.5 total points
- Bengals vs Browns moneyline: Bengals -250, Browns +200
- Bengals vs Browns best bet: Browns +5.5 (-110)
Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns NFL Preview
For this AFC North clash, I'm going with the home underdog Browns.
There's no reason why I should be afraid of fading a team like the Bengals laying 5 1/2 points on the road in Week 1 against a divisional opponent.
Led by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, there's a lot to like about the Bengals offense — it's their defense that gives me pause. Like, you're essentially asking Cincy's defense to win with a line like this — and I don't trust this unit to do that.
In Week 1, divisional home underdogs are 23-7 against the spread (ATS) since 2010; that figure is 10-2 since 2018 and 18-4 since 2012.
Remember, the Bengals historically have gotten off to slow starts. Burrow enters this season healthy, and he got a little bit more work than usual in the preseason, so maybe that won't be an issue.
That said, Burrow is 1-9 straight up (SU) and 3-7 ATS in his first two games. Zach Taylor is 5-7 SU as a favorite in September — that's with Andy Dalton and Burrow.
There's some history here that says there might be a chance that the Bengals start slow, but ultimately it's their defense that has me on the Browns.
Even on offense, the Bengals' offensive line is questionable. They're rolling with Lucas Patrick at guard — this position in general leaves a lot to be desired.
And while the Browns aren't great, we know their defense — led by Myles Garrett — can generate pressure. Burrow has struggled against Cleveland throughout his career — he's just 3-5 against them lifetime.
Greg Newsome II is going to move to the outside with the injury to Martin Emerson Jr. We'll see if Newsome can have a bounce-back season in a contract year.
Denzel Ward will be on the other side. The slot position scares me a bit with most likely Cameron Mitchell, but this defense can still get pressure. Denzel Ward can hold his own even when he's matched up with Chase.
As for the Browns on offense, I expect them to throw the kitchen sink here — not to mention it shouldn't take anything special from Joe Flacco and co. to move the ball.
New Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden has been dealt a tough hand with what he has to work with, and I'm not sure how much he can do.
Bengals vs Browns Betting Predictions
Not only do I like the Browns to cover, but I think they're going to pull off the outright upset.
I think this game will be close, and even if the Browns are down around 10 points late, there's a good chance they can achieve the backdoor cover with a late touchdown, given the state of the Bengals defense.
The points with the Browns is the move.
Bengals vs Browns Best Bet
- Browns +5.5 (-110)
My Browns vs. Bengals betting prediction is on Cleveland to cover the spread at +5.5.
Moneyline
I think the Browns are in play to pull off the upset, but I'm taking the points instead of the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no bet for the game total.
Bengals vs Browns Betting Trends
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