Browns Hosting Bengals in Week 1: Moneyline, Spread, Total, and Storylines

In one of the best matchups for Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are set to visit their in-state rivals, Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns will embark on their first full season with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. For Cincinnati, they enter with expectations of returning to their second Super Bowl in three years.

All NFL Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bengals vs. Browns Week 1: Moneyline, Spread, and Total

• Moneyline:
  • Bengals: -130
  • Browns: +110
• Spread: Bengals -2.5 (-110)
• Total: 47.5

Bengals vs. Browns: Super Bowl Odds and Win Totals

According to the Super Bowl odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Bengals (+1000) are tied for the third-shortest odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this coming season. For Cleveland, their odds are +2800 to win the next Super Bowl, 13th-best in the market.

The Bengals have a win total of 11.5, with the pricing set at -134 for the under. The Browns' win total sits at 9.5, also with the under price set at -134.

Bengals vs. Browns Week 1: Storylines to Follow

• Bengals
  • Can the offensive line keep Burrow upright?
    • Sort of miraculously, Joe Burrow has been able to orchestrate two separate runs deep into the playoffs while also spending significant time picking himself up off the turf. Over the past two seasons, no quarterback has been sacked more than Burrow. In 2021, he led the NFL in that category, being brought down 51 times. In 2022, those numbers dropped slightly (41), but he was once again in the top-six most-sacked passers. Still, the Bengals -- especially their offense -- have managed to operate successfully over that timeframe. It is rather scary to think about how fluid Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and company would look like behind an elite offensive line. Well, Cincy brought in some reinforcements, luring left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. away from the Kansas City Chiefs. Regardless, they will all have their work cut out for them in this opener against a talented defensive front in Cleveland. In two games last season, the Browns sacked Burrow a total of six times, recovering one fumble in the process.
  • How much action will Mixon see?
    • Things seemed to get a little awkward between head coach Zac Taylor and running back Joe Mixon at last year's end. After questionable usage down the postseason stretch last year (including only eight touches in the AFC Championship game), Taylor appears to be riding with Mixon to shoulder the load in 2023. Still, the Bengals did take a running back in the most recent NFL Draft. Either way, Mixon has the ability to thrive when given opportunities. He has scored 25 total touchdowns over the last two seasons, which has made him a fantasy football darling. It'll be interesting to see what Mixon's role is in Week 1.
• Browns
  • What will Week 1 Watson look like?
    • With his suspension served and long-completed, quarterback Deshaun Watson will start Week 1 for the first time since 2020. Of course, he was with the Houston Texans at the time, so this will be his inaugural opener playing for the Browns. In six regular-season appearances last year, Watson played only two games at Cleveland Browns Stadium. In total, his 2022 performances were forgettable, finishing with 7 touchdowns with 5 interceptions behind a career-low 58.2% completion rate. Now that Watson has some continuity going into 2023, perhaps he can develop a dynamic relationship with Amari Cooper. From there, speedsters Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin should provide a vertical element for Watson to work with. Tight end David Njoku is a fantastic talent, as well. Naturally, the offense will always have the ability to lean on the mighty Nick Chubb when needed.
  • Is the Browns' defense up to speed?
    • Cleveland has the potential to make a contending run this year, but they will need increased effort from the defensive side. In their favor, the Browns will always have a tone-setter in their All-Pro Myles Garrett, but they'll need to apply pressure from all areas to make the jump this season. Cleveland does have a quality secondary led by cornerback Denzel Ward, but it is their linebacking corps that needs a jolt. Overall, the defense allowed the eighth-most rushing yards in the NFL last year. The Browns acquired Za'Darius Smith from the Minnesota Vikings to complement Garrett on the defensive line. I mentioned that Cincinnati's O-Line has had many woes in recent seasons, so we'll see how the Browns' front seven gets after them in the opening week.

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