Hayden Hurst Player Props: Expert Pick for Bengals vs Browns

Hayden Hurst Receptions

There’s always something different about AFC North primetime games. There’s really no such thing as a “friendly” interdivisional game, but these teams seem to hate each other a bit extra. With the Bengals and Browns squaring off on Monday Night Football, I expect an intense and physical matchup.

The story with the Bengals over this past week is that Ja’Marr Chase will be out for the next month with a hip injury. Cincinnati's aerial attack was just starting to resemble that of last season’s Super Bowl run as well – now other pass-catchers will need to step up in Chase’s absence.

Enter tight end Hayden Hurst. The first-year Bengal is currently third on the team in targets (39; 14% target share) and fourth in catches (29; 16% catch share). And despite battling through some injuries of his own, the fifth-year pro has mustered at least four catches in four of his seven games this season.

Chase’s absence leaves more than 10 targets and six catches per game up for grabs (pun intended). Joe Mixon and the Bengals' rushing attack have struggled, leading Cincy to deploy a pass-heavy attack. Per RotoViz, Cincinnati’s pass play percentage of 68% in neutral game scripts is the highest in the NFL.

The Browns have faced some tight end averse teams, which has skewed their season-long data against the position. But still, the focus of their secondary will be limiting the other two-thirds of the Bengals' spectacular receiver trio — Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

Tonight, I have Hurst projected to haul in five catches.