After both losing during week one, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals will be determined to put the record straight in this AFC North meeting.
The Browns faced fellow AFC North challengers Baltimore Ravens in week one and Lamar Jackson and co put them to the sword with a 38-6 victory.
Cleveland failed to score a touchdown last week, but they will fancy their chances against the Bengals, who were themselves beaten 16-13 by Los Angeles Chargers.
All Eyes on College King Burrow
When the Bengals selected Joe Burrow in the first round of this year’s Draft, they did not take too much of a gamble.
Burrow was always expected to go early in the Draft, thanks to his stellar performances for the LSU Tigers last year.
In one of the best collegiate seasons of all time, Burrow picked up 5,671 passing yards, including 60 touchdowns. He was only intercepted on six occasions, and he led his team to the Championship in January.
Burrow enjoyed a decent NFL debut last week, completing 23 of 36 passes for 193 yards, with just one interception going against him.
He scored a touchdown himself, and the future looks bright for the Bengals.
They have endured a miserable few years but, at 43/20, they are worth considering this week.
New-look Bengals Offence Ready to Shine
After drafting Burrow, the Bengals wasted no time in giving him some more targets.
Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins was also signed in the second round, while they still have A.J. Green on their roster as well as running back Joe Mixon.
The Browns have the squad to compete for the play-offs but their lack of attacking output last week should raise alarm bells.
Yes, they played the Ravens, but Baker Mayfield could not get going, and he needs to improve in 2020 if he is to keep his spot.
Without Green, the Bengals struggled on offense, but he is back now, and his return, along with Burrow’s arrival, is a major gamechanger for Zac Taylor’s outfit.
Friday’s battle may go down to the wire, and the Bengals may need to dig deep in order to win. With that in mind, they are worth considering at odds of 25/27 on the +6 handicap.
Points Galore in Ohio
Neither the Browns nor Bengals are expected to fight it out for the AFC North title, but that is not to say that an exciting game is not on the cards.
While Cincinnati’s away record is tame, to say the least, with no wins in 12, they can still shine on their travels.
In the last five meetings between the pair, over 43 points has landed in each and every game, and we fancy that run to continue.
Over 43.5 is 21/20 this week, and that looks a great bet as these two chase their first win of the campaign.
*All odds correct at time of writing
