Bengals vs. Browns: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Cincinnati Bengals should be able to beat the Cleveland Browns this Sunday, but AFC North divisional clashes are notoriously brutal affairs in which anything can happen. 

One of the more hyped teams leading up to the 2013 season, Cincinnati has gotten off to a nice start. The Bengals feature a 2-1 record, thanks in part to a thrilling come-from-behind victory against the Packers in Green Bay last weekend. 

Rookie running back Giovani Bernard has been one of the most exciting players in the league thus far, and it's likely he'll be featured more as the season wears on. 

The Browns appear to be destined for a top-five pick in the 2014 NFL draft after trading away running back Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts. A shocking win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 showed the team still has plenty of pluck, but there isn't enough talent on offense to win many games. 

Here's what you need to know about this upcoming contest. 

When: Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. ET

Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Watch: CBS

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Covers) 

• Over/Under: 42.5 pts.
• Spread: Cleveland (+3.5)

Bengals Injury Report (via Bengals.com) 

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Collins, Anthony	T	Knee	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Ghee, Brandon	CB	Concussion	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Green-Ellis, BenJarvus	RB	Ankle	LP	FP	FP	Probable
Hall, Leon	CB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful
Harrison, James	LB	Illness	-	-	DNP	Probable
Kirkpatrick, Dre	CB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	LP	Doubtful
Nelson, Reggie	S	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful
Newman, Terence	CB	Knee	LP	FP	FP	Probable
Pollak, Mike	G	Knee	DNP	DNP	LP	Doubtful

Browns Injury Report (via ClevelandBrowns.com) 

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED.	THU.	FRI.	GAME STATUS
Bryant, Desmond	DT	Wrist	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Cousins, Oniel	OL	Chest	LP	LP	FP	Probable
Cundiff, Billy	K	Right Thigh	DNP	DNP	LP	Questionable
Gordon, Josh	WR	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Groves, Quentin	LB	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Lauvao, Shawn	OL	Ankle	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Rubin, Ahtyba	DL	Calf	FP	FP	FP	Probable
Sheard, Jabaal	LB	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful
Weeden, Brandon	QB	Right Thumb	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Winn, Billy	DL	Quadriceps	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out

Will Brian Hoyer Match His Week 3 Production?

Hoyer was surprisingly called into duty over veteran Jason Campbell in Week 3, with Brandon Weeden out with a thumb injury. Hoyer passed for 321 yards with three touchdowns to lead Cleveland over Minnesota.

Weeden will be held out again in Week 4, as noted by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, and Hoyer will get another chance to impress.

Unfortunately for him, this upcoming contest against the Bengals could be a humbling experience. 

The Bengals have a formidable front four that is excellent against the run and the pass. Geno Atkins will have a field day against Cleveland's porous interior offensive line, and Hoyer will be running for his life. 

Prediction

The Bengals are superior to the Browns in every conceivable way.

A.J. Green isn't the only offensive playmaker for Cincinnati any more, as Bernard and fellow rookie Tyler Eifert have opened up the field. 

Andy Dalton can't afford to continue turning the ball over if the Bengals have any hope of making a deep playoff run, but he's been making nice recoveries this year after making mistakes. 

The Bengals should be able to effectively shut down Cleveland's offense and easily win this road game.

Final Score 

Bengals win 31-13

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