Monday Night Football Pick: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

Cincinnati Bengals +145 at Cleveland Browns -175

Today, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Line: Bengals -3 | Total: 45 points 

I am betting on the Bengals -3 points as offered at BetMGM. 

The Bengals (4-3 straight-up, 5-2 against the spread, 2-5 Over-Under) are back in the playoff race and with a win over the Browns (2-5 SU, 3-4 ATS, 5-2 Over-Under) will be tied with the Baltimore Ravens atop the divisional standings. 

A Browns loss would put them at 2-6 on the season and significantly diminish any playoff hopes moving forward. 

The Bengals have won four of their last five games and have covered the spread in all five. 

The Browns are on a four-game losing skid and covering the spread once.  Their offense ranks 10th in offensive efficiency with a 16.94 yards per point ratio but is not getting the ball enough on offense, ranking 22nd in scoring offense at 24 points per game. 

The bigger problem is on the defensive end where they rank 30th with 13.86 yards per points defensive ratio leading to a 30th ranking, allowing 26.57 points per game on the season.   

The Bengals' offense, led by Joe Burrow, should carve (Halloween pun intended) its way to time-consuming drives tonight. The game is a divisional matchup on Monday Night Football, which is expected to see the defenses play above average and lends itself to a look at the Under in this game.  

Situational Trends and Angles 

• The Bengals are 14-6 ATS in road games when facing a team with an offense that is completing 60% or more of their passes in games played over the past two seasons.
• The Browns are 5-14 ATS in home games when facing a team with an offense that is completing 60% or more of their passes in games played over the past two seasons.
• The Bengals are 21-11 ATS following a game in which they scored 24 or more points.