Browns vs Bengals prediction, picks and fantasy outlook feat. Joe Burrow

Modified Oct 20, 2024 10:40 GMT

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When the 2024 season began, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals were supposed to battle for playoff spots in the AFC North with Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow leading the charge. But after six weeks both franchises have losing records.

The Bengals are 2-4 and their only wins this season have come against the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers, none of whom look likely to make the postseason. Unlike last year when Joe Burrow's season-ending injury was the factor that made the difference between them making the playoffs and eventually missing out, in 2024 their problem has mainly been on defense.

They have allowed 25.3 points per game. Excluding last week's win against the Giants, where they only allowed seven points, they were giving up 29 points a match, which in current circumstances would have made them better than just the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Panthers. However, Bengals supporters will hope that the victory against New York could be a harbinger of better things to come.

The Cincinnati defense will not have a better chance to prove that than this week. For the Browns, their single biggest problem has been Deshaun Watson. The man, whom they paid $230 million in full guaranteed money despite his off-field issues, has not lived up to the billing of being a franchise quarterback.

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Cleveland is averaging 240.2 total yards per game, which is the worst in the NFL for the 2024 season after six weeks. Their starting quarterback has five touchdowns in six games and three picks. He has not thrown for 200 yards in a single game this year, despite facing teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Jaguars, who are firmly in the bottom half of the league when it comes to defensive ability.

That is a major reason that the Browns are 1-5 and occupy the basement of the AFC North. However, things can change quickly in the NFL and if they beat the Bengals in Week 7, both teams will enter Monday with the same records.

Browns vs. Bengals prediction

Given this situation, we can guess as to who is most likely to win the game in this divisional matchup. Cynics will argue that the Bengals' newly found frugality on defense was down to the Giants not having a top quarterback at their disposal. But the same applies to the Browns, as Watson has been among the worst starting quarterbacks.

Last week, Burrow did not throw a single touchdown or an interception but still won. But overall he has a good record in 2024 with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Therefore, given Cleveland's general offensive weakness, the Cincinnati defense's ability to stand up against struggling opposition as evidenced against New York in Week 6, and the Bengals quarterback's general form this season, one expects the Browns to emerge with another defeat.

Browns vs. Bengals top fantasy picks

Fantasy football owners have some clear choices in this game. It would be extremely cavalier to with the Cleveland quarterback, for example. The Browns' running game is not much better either as they are just gaining 97.2 yards on the ground per match in 2024.

Therefore, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase will be good fantasy picks on the offensive side of the ball. The quarterback is averaging two touchdowns a game and the wideout has five touchdowns in the last four weeks. None of the defenses look good enough to be a great unit to pick for fantasy football; Cincinnati because of their overall record and Cleveland because of whom they are facing.