NFL Odds Week 18: Browns vs Bengals Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Week 18 of the NFL season continues with an AFC North matchup bearing very little weight in the playoff picture between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. The betting odds see Cincy as a 4.5-point favorite with Cleveland expected to rest key starters in preparation for the postseason. Coverage begins from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, January 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 18: Browns vs. Bengals lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

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Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds

• Opening point spread: Bengals -2.5
• Opening moneyline: Bengals -220/Bengals +180
• Opening total: Over/Under 43.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 11 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Cincy got to -8.5 this morning, after opening -4 a week ago at BetMGM (see below update). The Bengals are now -7.5, with Cleveland getting 63% of spread bets/Cincinnati drawing 68% of spread money.

And although the Browns will have a lot of backups on the field today, moneyline tickets and cash are in the 9/1 range on Cleveland.

The total is now at 37, down a half-point since Friday and down 3 points from the 40 opener. Ticket count is 3/1 and money 9/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Bengals hit their peak this afternoon of -7.5 (-105) at BetMGM, then backed up to -7 (-115). That's after Cincy opened at -4 and steadily climbed, with Cleveland locked into the AFC's No. 5 seed and sitting plenty of key starters, including Joe Flacco.

Spread ticket count is still almost 2/1 on the Browns, but spread money is nearly 3/1 on the Bengals. Cleveland is taking almost all the early moneyline tickets and dollars, despite planning to play a lot of backups.

The total opened at 40 and by Wednesday was down to 37.5, where it remains this afternoon. Ticket count is 2/1-plus and money 8/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Cleveland (11-5 SU and ATS) is likely becoming a team others will not want to face in the postseason. Behind a revived Joe Flacco, the Browns are on a 4-0 SU and ATS run. Going back further, Cleveland is on sprees of 7-2 SU and 8-2 ATS.

In the Week 17 Thursday nighter, the Browns rolled to a 37-20 victory laying 7 points at home against the New York Jets.

Cincinnati (8-8 SU/6-8-2 ATS) made an inspired late charge minus Joe Burrow, but won't make the playoffs. In Week 17, the Bengals played Kansas City tough, but lost 25-17 as 7-point road pups.

Cleveland is locked into the AFC's No. 5 seed, so it has nothing to play for in Week 18. As such, the Bengals opened -2 and sprinted to -4.5 tonight at The SuperBook, with multiple stops along the way.

The total went the other way, quickly sliding from 43.5 to 40, with stops at 41.5/40.5.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 18 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Browns vs Bengals Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Check back soon for picks!

Pick: TBD

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 18: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Browns vs Bengals

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Check back soon for betting stats!

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 18 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson