Can you smell that, it smells like a Sunday full of football, just a few short days away. Lock back in with me and let’s kick it off by talking about this in State rivalry between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns.
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Game Information
Matchup Information
- Location: Huntington Bank Field; Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: Sunday, September 7th, 2025
- Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST
Quarterback Matchup
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow (9-8; 2024 – 289.3 YPG | 43 TD | 9 INT)
- Cleveland Browns: Joe Flacco (3-5; 2024 – 220.1 YPG | 12 TD | 7 INT)
Betting Odds
Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Analysis & Breakdown
Cincinnati ‘Bungles’
First Sunday of the new season and it’s only right we get it started with a battle in the AFC North. The NFL’s got two teams in the great state of Ohio, both teams play in the AFC North and both fan bases despise one another. The Bengals come into 2025 hoping to turn things around. Last year the team finished 9-8 and that was only because of a perfect 5-0 finish to the season. The Bengals lost four of their first five games last year and looked abysmal on the defensive side of the ball.
Last year, the Bengals scored the sixth most points per game but gave up the 7th most points per game. The team averaged 27.8 PPG and one of the strongest air attacks we’ve seen in recent years. The Bengals averaged 272.9 pass yards per game (1st) but just could not figure it out defensively. Cincinnati was giving up 348.3 yards per game, with 124.8 of those yards coming on the ground. They gave up 25.5 PPG and it’s the reason why the team finished with just nine wins on the season.
For the Browns this year, there are no expectations. When you have Joe Flacco starting Week 1 for your franchise, your team’s either suffered a terrible injury or your team’s already looking to next year. The Browns are projected to have more quarterbacks start games this year than they are actual wins. With Shadeur Sanders buried behind Dillon Gabriel and Flacco starting under center, you’ve got to understand why I’m so dismissive of this Browns team.
The Battle of Ohio
Despite the Bengals struggles last year, one thing they did well was beat up on the Browns. Cincinnati went 2-0 in their two matchups, scoring a total of 45 points and allowing just 20 across the two games. This year the Browns have brought back Joe Flacco to start the season. The former Raven is currently on his second stint with the Browns, starting five games for Cleveland back in 2023. Flacco averaged 323.2 pass yards per game with the Browns, throwing 13 touchdowns, 8 interceptions and won four of the five starts.
Opposite of Flacco will be Joe Burrow. Burrow’s huge numbers last year were overshadowed by the team’s poor record and completely forgotten about because the Bengals failed to make the playoffs. Burrow threw for 4918 yards, threw 43 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and completed 70.6% of his pass attempts. He lead the league in pass attempts (652) and still finished the season with a 71% completion rate.
Against the Browns last year, Burrow combined for five touchdowns, no interceptions and threw for over 400 combined yards across two matchups. When playing against the AFC North, Burrow averaged 306.5 pass yards per game and threw 18 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions. He finished last year with nearly a 5-1 touchdown-interception ration and this could be the year he really does that.
Sunday’s Best Bets
Ja’Marr Chase o83.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
This isn’t a line we’re going to see often for Chase this year. Last year’s winner of the Triple Crown enters this season poised to do damage and with anger in his heart for how last season finished. Chase and Burrow might be the best QB/WR combo in the league currently and I don’t think it’s really close. Last year, Chase saw just under 28% of the Bengal’s entire target share. He averaged 100.5 receiving yards per game and finished the season with 17 touchdowns.
After back to back years going 9-8, it’s time for this tandem to win some damn football games. Last year, against the AFC North, Chase averaged 11 targets per game, 8 receptions per game, 131.8 receiving yards per game and scored 9 touchdowns in just six games. This offense is going to be out of this world, the only question is can the defense do their job?
Tee Higgins Anytime Touchdown (+130)
The Browns ranked 5th worst in points allowed last year, giving up 25.6 PPG and allowing 20 touchdowns to opposing wideouts. This year this Browns team hasn’t gotten any better on the defensive side of the ball and this Bengals team should once again come in and do what they want.
Higgins has scored in four straight games against the Browns, including both matchups last year and two other coming in 2022 and 2020. With Ja’Marr Chase still playing opposite of Tee, it’s safe to assume it’ll be Chase pulling a majority of the double teams. Leaving Higgins out there to get open in a one on one setting.
Higgins is the clear number two in this wide receiver room and it’s clear once they get within 20 yards; Burrow’s only looking at two guys, Chase and Tee.
Bonus Bet: Tee Higgins First Touchdown Scorer (+800)
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