Stripe Hype Staff Picks: Will Bengals Sweep Battle of Ohio?

Sep 16, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns line up during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Browns 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

Sean O’Donnell

The Bengals offense came out flat against Miami in week 5. Don’t expect that to happen for two consecutive weeks, though. As Cincinnati’s defense improves and the offense gets back on track this week, they will be too much for an inconsistent Browns team. Cleveland does keep it close but the Bengals prevail.

Cincinnati 27, Cleveland 23

Shawn Maher

Even with the Bengals beleaguered after a heartbreaking loss to the Dolphins, the Bengals will bounce back against the Browns. When Mike Florio asked A.J. Green what separates Andy Dalton from any other quarterback that he has played with, Green replied it was his ability to bounce back and be resilient. Keep in mind, Green caught passes from former first-overall draft pick Matt Stafford at Georgia.

The Bengals will have trouble keeping Trent Richardson in check, but the Browns passing game will give a increasingly healthy Bengals secondary little to no problems. With the downhill style that Richardson employs, the Bengals will be able to run their base front on defense and put pressure on the lead-footed rookie Brandon Weeden. Even with Joe Haden back, the Bengals still can win the passing game in the middle of the field against big-bodied thumper D’Qwell Jackson.

Bengals 24, Browns 13

Jerod Livengood

Jason Marcum

With the meat of a brutal schedule upcoming, the Bengals are playing to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Browns on Sunday. A loss would be devastating with the next three games being against the Steelers, Broncos, and Giants, who they’ve lost a combined 8-straight against.

The Browns are playing for pride, and not much else. They’ve lost 4-straight in the series and seven of the past eight meetings. After a very competitive Week 2 game in Cincinnati, the Browns home crowd will be rocking and Cleveland knows a win would not only remove the burden of being the NFL’s lone winless team, but would aslo severely damage the playoff hopes of their in-state rivals.

Browns 27, Bengalas 23

Mel Payne

Coming off of a disappointing the loss last week, the Bengals will be looking to rebound in Cleveland. I think the Bengals will be better next week through the air and Andy will have a good game against the Browns defense. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and the running backs will finally have a breakout game. However, Cleveland will be relentless on the ground and through the air. I am calling it to be another close AFC North division rivalry game.

Bengals 27, Browns 23

Walter Zaviski

This game is difficult to judge. The Browns are playing better each week, and the Bengals could be victims of looking ahead to next weeks Sunday Night showdown with Pittsburgh. The return of Joe Haden, and Miami really laid a blueprint out on slowing down the Bengal offense.

Browns 16, Bengals 13

Alex Peterson