An old-fashioned AFC North rivalry continues this week when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football. The Bengals appear to be back to their winning ways as they enter this week on a two-game winning streak. During the month of October, the Bengals nearly fell off the map, going 1-2-1 after starting the year 3-0.
Browns vs. Bengals 2014 picks and predictions: Cincy favored in AFC North clash
The Bengals host the Browns in Round 1 of the Battle of Ohio this week when the two teams meet with the lead for the AFC North on the line.
John Grieshop
They're coming off a 33-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who happen to be the last team to beat the Browns. That was the only blemish in an otherwise great month for Cleveland. The Browns went 3-1 in October, including a blowout 31-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland has won four of its past five games, and enter this game at 5-3 with a chance to climb atop the AFC North.
Speaking of which, the 5-2-1 Bengals hold the narrowest of leads in the division, and this game will feature a matchup of above .500 teams for the first time this late in the season in almost three decades.
Last year, the Bengals and Browns split the season series, with each team winning at home. However, Browns starting quarterback Brian Hoyer did not start in the second game after winning the first matchup in Week 4, 17-6. After tearing his ACL in Week 5, Hoyer missed the Week 11 rematch, which Cleveland lost by a 41-20 margin.
So what do the experts think about this in-state matchup?
The entire CBS crew went with Cincinnati in an 8-0 sweep, with Pete Prisco picking the home team, 26-13. He offered up this reasoning:
“This is actually a big game for both teams. The Bengals lead the division, but the Browns are 5-3. Cleveland has beaten up on Oakland and Tampa Bay. This is a big step up for the Browns in competition. And it will show. The Bengals win a prime-time game behind their defense.”
The SB Nation staff mostly agreed, with all but one expert siding with the Bengals:
| Week 10 | Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | PFT Commenter | Matt Ufford | OddsShark Computer |
| CLE vs CIN | CIN | CIN | CIN | CIN | CIN | CLE | CIN | CIN |
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