Oddsmakers set expectation for Bengals to do something they've never done under Zac Taylor
Winning the AFC North is out the question for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 3-3 record against their biggest rivals is the best they can hope for at this point along with an outside shot at the playoffs. Even if their season ends when the regular season ends, there are still new and important victories the Bengals […]
Winning the AFC North is out the question for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 3-3 record against their biggest rivals is the best they can hope for at this point along with an outside shot at the playoffs.
Even if their season ends when the regular season ends, there are still new and important victories the Bengals can achieve.
Sweeping the Cleveland Browns would fall right into that category, and would give head coach Zac Taylor a new bullet point for his resume.
Bengals emerge as heavy favorites over Browns in Week 16
Following their second consecutive victory this past week, the Bengals are now expected to extend their winning streak to three games when they face the Browns in Week 16. Oddsmakers have the Bengals as seven-point favorites at home against their in-state rival.
It's become a rarity for the Bengals to be touchdown-favorites over the Browns. They were 7.5-point favorites in Week 18 last year when both teams were already eliminated from playoff contention and the Browns had to start former Bengals backup Jeff Driskel at quarterback. The last time the Bengals were favorites of that magnitude over the Browns was back in 2017.
2017 was also the last time the Bengals swept the Browns in the same season. Cleveland swept Cincinnati during Marvin Lewis' final year as head coach in 2018, and won six of the first seven matchups of the series against Taylor.
The Bengals have won three of their last four games against the Browns, but sweeping them in the same year as evaded Taylor up to this point. The sportsbooks are expecting that to change this week.
Sunday's game was originally scheduled for Thursday Night Football before the NFL moved it out of the primetime slot. This will give both teams a full week's rest before the 103rd installment of the Battle of Ohio.
If all goes as expected, Taylor will finally get his sweep over the Bengals' oldest rival.
Joe Burrow leaves no doubt about the most unique touchdown of his Bengals career
Burrow connected with one of his closest teammates for a special touchdown.
