How healthy is Joe Burrow going to be? Burrow is also 1-4 SU against the Cleveland. The Browns added solid pieces to bolster their defensive line, contain the run and bring the pressure on Burrow, who may not be 100%. Even though there are questions about how will DeShaun Watson perform, Cleveland is the healthier team, especially at QB. Since 2018, the Browns are 5-0 SU at home against the Cincinnati.

Last season, the Browns were the last to team to defeat the Bengals before Cincinnati went on an 11-game unbeaten streak that included another run to the AFC title game. The Browns should be improved and, with Joe Burrow still possibly not 100%, this is a good spot for them to start their season with a big divisional win.

Joe "Cool" missed the entire month of August with a calf injury. Burrow is 1-4 SU versus the Brownies. My model has Cleveland vastly improved and I expect Deshaun Watson to end up as one of the top five quarterback in the NFL by years end. I have a four-point diffence from the betting line however very few key numbers so I'm keeping this play at 1 unit. Cleveland by two.

I'm buying the Browns defense. Za'Darius Smith joining Myles Garrett is scary, with Dalvin Tomlinson added to stop the run and Jim Schwartz as the new DC ... they're gonna be good. Of course, Joe Burrow's great, but he's 1-4 vs. the Browns in his career and has started a combined 1-3 the past two years in the first two games. Give me the home divisional 'dog.

In Houston he regularly averaged between 5-6 rush attempts per game. In six games last year with the Browns he averaged 6.0 rush attempts and 29.2 rushing yards per game. This very preseason he ran six times of 30 snaps and had 21 yards. Point is, rushing is still a very big part of Watson's game and this matchup isn't anything to fear as far as Watson not having to use his legs.

These are Burrow's first meaningful snaps since straining his calf on July 27. He didn't practice between then an August 30th, so a month of preparation was missed. That means he had no more than 12 days to get himself sharp. That's a tough deal, especially when he's about to face a tough Browns defense that's legitimately better than its been in years. That includes quality depth in secondary. I expect Burrow to be rusty, but even if he isn't, he's thrown at least one interception in each of his past four games against the Browns -- when they weren't as talent-rich as they are now.

We gave out this play over the summer, and between then and now we saw Joe Burrow sidelined with an injury that threatened his Week 1 status. But he returned to a full practice to start the week, and with him on normal availability I believe this line should be on the other side of three. He may need some time to shake off the rust, but we also don't know that the old Deshaun Watson will show up in this game either. The Bengals' quick passing game should help keep the heat off Burrow, and I'm not counting on the Browns offense to keep up.

Joe Burrow is 1-4 against the Browns, throwing five interceptions in those matchups. He just returned to practice Aug. 30 after missing a month with a calf injury. Cleveland's defense should be much improved thanks to the arrival of coordinator Jim Schwartz, pass rusher Za'darious Smith, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and safety Juan Thornhill. The offense, led by Deshaun Watson, should be more efficient with Kareem Hunt (3.8 ypc) gone and Elijah Moore lining up opposite Amari Cooper. Take the points.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow (foot) is back after a one-month absence from practice and could be rusty. Either way, the Browns fortified their defense with three significant free-agent imports. That should free up DE Myles Garrett to harass Burrow (and other QBs) even more than usual. Burrow is subject to occasional sacks by lesser pass-rushing D-lines. On offense, it remains to be seen if Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson will ever regain his pre-suspension form. Cincy's defense effectively changes coverages and could throw off Watson.