Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals NFL Week 16 Prediction

On By Littum

CINCINNATI — One team in today’s installment of the Battle of Ohio still has a path to the playoffs. The other, despite a down season, still has a path to the No. 1 overall pick.

Guess which one is which.

The Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) welcome Brown into their concrete jungle looking for another prey in hopes of continuing to play meaningful football games beyond this week. The Los Angeles Chargers’ victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night kept those hopes alive, at least until the results of Sunday’s games are determined.

There it is, the Browns, 3-11 and with a 2.4% chance to get the overall No. 1 in the draft according to ESPNenter the equation. Cleveland can end those hopes with its first win in Cincinnati since 2021.

Can the Browns pull it off? Here’s how the three writers who follow the Browns for us, Chris Easterling, Nate Ulrich and Dan Kadar, see the team’s Week 16 road game.

Brown vs. Bengals prediction: Who will win in NFL Week 16 Sunday afternoon

EASTER: The crazy fact that Cincinnati could potentially be on the outside of the playoffs again is crazy because its offense has been elite this season. Quarterback Joe Burrow has come back from last year’s season-ending thumb injury and is looking like his best self, while wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is running out of money to keep him around. That’s the offense the Browns expect Dorian Thompson-Robinson to go shot-for-shot with. Cleveland’s defense has played Cincinnati well during Burrows’ career. It will have to carry the day to answer “Who do they think will beat them Bengals?” BENGALS 31, BRUNNE 10

ULRICH: You never know when a change at starting quarterback can spark a team, so it’s possible Dorian Thompson-Robinson could do that for the Browns. However, it is more likely that the Bengals will take care of business at home and earn a season sweep against the Browns. BENGALS 28, BRUNNE 20

KADAR: The Browns have been oddly good against Cincinnati this decade with a 6-3 record against the Bengals. In 2022 and 2023, the two teams split their season series. Could it happen again when the Browns play spoiler for the Bengals? No. The Browns have too many issues on offense to keep up. BENGALS: 27, WELL 13