Williams: Predictions for Bengals vs. Browns on Monday Night Football, UC Bearcats vs. UCF

The beat rolls on: I'm on a six-game winning streak predicting both Bengals' and Cincinnati Bearcats' games. This week's games, however, were the toughest to predict so far this season. Here are my weekly predictions for the Bengals and Bearcats:

NFL prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-5), 8:15 p.m., ESPN Monday Night Football

If recent history is any indication, the Bengals will have a crappy Halloween.

Cincinnati has lost an NFL-record 12 consecutive primetime road games. The Bengals haven’t won in Cleveland since 2017. They’ve lost seven of their last eight games against the Browns. Ohioan Joe Burrow has never won the Battle of Ohio.

But the time feels right for Cincinnati to stop those skids. The Bengals are rolling. The Browns are reeling.

Cleveland has lost four straight games. The Browns seem to be unraveling after players were overheard shouting at each other in the locker room following last Sunday’s 23-20 loss at Baltimore.

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On the other hand, the Bengals’ offense is humming after back-to-back wins over New Orleans and Atlanta. Burrow and his receivers should remain in rhythm against a Browns defense that’s banged up and struggling to find the right mix of players. And it shouldn’t be dismissed that Bengals-killing quarterback Baker Mayfield is no longer in Cleveland.

For the second straight week, the Bengals will face a top-notch ground game. Cleveland’s Nick Chubb leads the NFL in rushing. The Bengals can neutralize Cleveland’s running game with another fast start. Cincinnati jumped out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter against Atlanta. It’s hard for run-heavy teams to overcome big deficits because running the ball is a time suck.

The weather could be a factor. There’s a 30% chance of evening showers. That could potentially give Cleveland the edge because of its potent running game. It could be troublesome if the Bengals have to rely heavily on running back Joe Mixon, who’s averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.

The Bengals are looking for their first division win. Cincinnati needs this win to put itself into the conversation with Buffalo and Kansas City as serious AFC contenders.

It won’t be easy for Cincinnati. After all, it’s an AFC North rivalry game and the Browns are a tough out. Four of their losses have been by three or fewer points.

So many factors make this a difficult game to predict: The Bengals' history in primetime, their recent struggles against the Browns, the weather and both teams are prone to playing close games.

Sometimes, you gotta go with your gut.

Prediction: Bengals win, 27-24

Last week: Cincinnati defeated Atlanta, 35-17. I predicted the Bengals would win, 31-27.

My season record: 6-1

College football prediction: No. 20 Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1, 3-0 AAC) at UCF Knights (5-2, 2-1), 3:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN

Can I give this prediction to Mason Fletcher and have him punt it away? It seems the oddsmakers also would like to give it to the Bearcats' outstanding punter. UCF is a 1-point favorite.

UC and UCF are evenly matched teams and programs. They have been the Group of Five representative in the New Year's Six Bowl four of the last five seasons. The Bearcats lead the all-time series, 4-3, having won three straight. This game could be the best in a burgeoning rivalry, one that will continue when both schools go to the Big 12 Conference next year.

The Bearcats have been living way too close to the edge lately. They needed a fourth-quarter rally to pull out a four-point win over woeful South Florida on Oct. 8. Last week in Dallas, UC gave up two late touchdowns against SMU but held on for a two-point victory. The Bearcats committed 14 penalties for 128 yards.

I like this Bearcats team. UC doesn't have the superstars it had on last year's College Football Playoff team, but the Bearcats have still found ways to win. That's a testament to coach Luke Fickell, who's turned down other jobs in order to build UC into a top-10 program.

It's hard to pick against Fickell, whose team has won 17 straight regular-season conference games.

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But UCF has the slight advantage as the home team. And the Knights are coming off a loss. That should provide them extra motivation against the two-time defending AAC champion Bearcats.

Prediction: UCF wins, 35-31

Last week: UC defeated SMU, 29-27. I predicted the Bearcats would win, 35-28.

My season record: 6-0 (the predictions column didn’t start until after UC’s season-opening loss at Arkansas)

Contact sports columnist Jason Williams by email atjwilliams@enquirer.com and on Twitter @jwilliamscincy.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Monday Night Football: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns pick