Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and running back Chase Brown (30) celebrate after a first down run by Burrow in the second quarter of the NFL Week 16 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The Bengals led 17-0 at halftime. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Week 1 Best Bets: Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Taylor Cornell | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 4:06 PM ET

A new season is upon us, which means 17 weeks of trying to win money betting on Bengals games! Similar to last season, I will look for player props and game lines that get us to plus odds (or close to it) and include the data I am using to back my bet.

All bets are one unit plays unless otherwise specified.

Under 47.5 Total Points + Bengals OVER 16.5 Points (+134 DraftKings)

Week 1 games are generally difficult to bet on, and the Bengals pose a unique challenge with their recent slow starts.

My Bet Backers

Over the last three seasons, the total points in Bengals Week 1 games has been 43, 27, and 26 points, all hitting the under
Since 2022, every Bengals-Browns game has gone under this total (6/6).

David Njoku 50+ Receiving Yards (+102 FanDuel)

Hopefully you follow me on X and locked this bet in at better odds weeks ago, but if not we are still getting plus odds on a solid prop.

My Bet Backers

Njoku tallied games of 66 and 76 receiving yards in his two games against Cincinnati last season
Yes, it was two seasons ago, but in his final four games with Flacco at the helm in 2023 Njoku averaged over 93 yards

Mike Gesicki UNDER 2.5 Receptions (+108 DraftKings)

Typically I am hesitant to bet under on already-low lines, but the data supports this play. The plus odds at DraftKings also represent a great value on this prop as FanDuel has this at -114.

My Bet Backers

In last year’s two games against Cleveland, Gesicki totaled three targets, with four Bengal pass catchers receiving more looks from Burrow in those games
Both games vs Cleveland in 2024 ranked bottom-5 for Gesicki in snap percentage, totaling less than 20 snaps in both matchups

Joe Burrow 250+ Passing Yards + 2+ Passing Touchdowns (+104 DraftKings)

Trying something new this year, at least to start the season. This is the year of Joe Burrow, as he enters the year as one of the betting favorites to win MVP. I loved his pre-season passing yards prop of 4150 yards, so much so that I put two units on the over. Last year betting these alt lines together would have hit 11-of-17 games, and to get plus odds early in the season is a gift. This may be a well we return to a few times this season as long as the odds remain profitable.

For additional 'unofficial' bets, sprinkles, and longshot parlays throughout the week,

This article first appeared on Cincinnati Bengals on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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