Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns in NFL Week 9: Everything to know

Battle of Ohio Vol. 1 comes at a critical point in the season for both Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Who wants it more? Maybe both teams want it the same amount.

Desperation is not a factor that will sway the result of the Cincinnati Bengals’ home game against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. Both teams have every reason to not give up an inch.

Starting with the Browns, they’re out to prove the Odell Beckham Jr. saga will not break them. They’re losers of three of their last four games and find themselves on the verge of going under .500. This team had Super Bowl aspirations back in August. That they’re fighting to stay alive in the wide open AFC playoff race gives them every reason to underestimate no one.

The Bengals seemed to underestimate the New York Jets last week. Look where that got them.

Cincinnati has this one-game lead over Cleveland because their offense has started to catch up to their defense. They averaged 35.3 points per game during their three-week road trip as Joe Burrow was finally being unleashed. There still looking for a complete game from their offense against a quality opponent, but the progress has been notable nonetheless.

Ramifications for this installment of the Battle of Ohio are big, but not as big as they will be in the season finale. The Bengals are about to enter a bye week with the hopes of getting to 6-3 and 3-0 in the division, but a loss won’t tank their chances by any means.

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