Bengals running back Jeremy Hill, a rookie out of LSU, will start in place of Giovani Bernard (hip) again and is a -130 favorite to score a touchdown against the generous Browns’ defense.
He broke the plane twice in last week’s game against the Jaguars, who have a slightly better run defense statistically than the Browns.
The Browns allow the second most rushing yards per game, which doesn’t automatically translate to a touchdown for Hill, but their inability to stop the run likely means the Bengals will be able to move the ball consistently throughout the game, and eventually result in some goal-to-go carries for the rookie.
The Bengals preached a commitment to the running game prior to the season and they are sticking to that promise, averaging 28.9 rush attempts per game, 10th in the league. Sporting News’ Fantasy Source staff ranked Hill as their No. 10 running back this week, supporting our decision to lay the -130 for him to find pay dirt.
For additional betting analysis and The Linemakers’ lean, check out Mike Wilkening’s Browns-Bengals betting preview.
BROWNS-BENGALS PROPS
FIRST SCORE OF THE GAME WILL BE: TOUCHDOWN -155 ANY OTHER SCORE +135
TOTAL GROSS PASSING YARDS BY: BRIAN HOYER (CLE) OVER 256.5 -110 UNDER 256.5 -110
TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: BRIAN HOYER (CLE) OVER 1.5 +125 UNDER 1.5 -145
TOTAL COMPLETIONS BY: ANDY DALTON (CIN) OVER 20.5 -110 UNDER 20.5 -110
TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: ANDY DALTON (CIN) OVER 1.5 -140 UNDER 1.5 +120WILL JEREMY HILL (CIN) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN? YES -130 NO +110
TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: MOHAMED SANU (CIN) OVER 67.5 -110 UNDER 67.5 -110
TOTAL QB SACKS BY: BOTH TEAMS OVER 4.0 -125 UNDER 4.0 +105
TOTAL POINTS BY: BROWNS OVER 19.0 -110 UNDER 19.0 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: BENGALS OVER 25.5 -110 UNDER 25.5 -110
NOTES: PLAYERS MUST PLAY FOR ACTION, NO PARLAYS
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