Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers Matchup Preview (12/25/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers Matchup Preview (12/25/21)

On Christmas Day the Cleveland Browns will take on the Green Bay Packers (11-3) at Lambeau Field in week 16.  Due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the team, the Browns played their week 15 game against the Raiders this past Monday night, losing 16-14 on a Daniel Carlson field goal as time expired.  Cleveland is 2-3 in their last five games; having scored over 20 points once during that span.  This past Sunday, Green Bay won in Baltimore, 31-30 after a failed two-point conversion by the Ravens.  The win clinched the NFC North title for the Packers.  Green Bay has allowed at least 28 points in each of their last four games; twice in the first 10 games of the season.  The defense will need to tighten up as they jockey for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers Betting Odds

The Packers are a 7-point home favorite over the Browns in week 16.  Cleveland is 6-8 against the spread this season; 2-4 on the road.  The Browns are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games in Week 16.  The Packers are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games as a home favorite.  Cleveland is 5-1 against the spread in their last six road games vs. a team with a winning home record.  Green Bay is 11-2 against the spread in their last 13 games overall.

The Browns still have many players on the COVID-19 list as of mid-week.  It is not known if quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum will be available to play against Green Bay.  One of the best deep threats in the NFL, Marquez Valdes-Scantling of the Packers was place on the COVID-19 list on Tuesday, he’s questionable for the game against the Browns.  

My Prediction: Packers 31-21, Packers cover the spread and game goes over 44.5 points.

TV Schedule

Date: 12/25/21
Time: 5:30 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI
TV Coverage: FOX

Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers Live Stream

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Cleveland Browns Analysis

The Browns offense is averaging 341.1 yards of total offense per game, ranking them 19^th in the NFL.  They’re scoring 20.9 points per game which ranks them 19^th in the league.  

Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum were both unavailable to play due to COVID-19 in week 15 against the Raiders.  Nick Mullens stepped in to play against Las Vegas on Monday night.  Although the team lost, Mullens performed admirably, throwing for 147 yards, one touchdown and completing 66.7% of his passes.  If cleared and taken off the COVID-19 list, Mayfield will be back under center for the Browns.  On the season, Mayfield has been inconsistent, throwing for 2,603 yards, 13 touchdowns, seven interceptions with a 62.8 completion percentage.  At times the fourth-year quarterback looks overwhelmed, panics in the pocket and overthrows receivers.  The crowd at Lambeau Field will be aware of Mayfield’s struggles and will make noise to distract the former Oklahoma Sooner.  The former number one overall pick in 2018 currently ranks 25^th in the NFL with a 38.7 QBR.  Case Keenum could also be an option to start if the Browns are still in a state of flux due to the virus.  

The Browns rushing attack is fourth in the NFL, averaging 143.5 yards per game.  Nick Chubb is fourth in the league in rushing with 1,017 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.  He’s also scored seven touchdowns on the ground this season.  In the week 15 loss to the Raiders, he had 91 yards rushing and a touchdown.  The fourth-year pro from Georgia has rushed for over 100 yards four times in 2021; averaging 92.5 yards per game.  In his career he has rushed for 4,574 yards on 870 carries and 35 touchdowns.  

The Browns defense is allowing 321.7 yards per game this season ranking them fifth in the NFL.  They’re allowing 21.8 points per game, ranking them 13^th in the league.  

For a team decimated by injuries they suffered another crushing blow, Takkarist McKinsley is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles vs. Las Vegas this past Monday.  The big defensive end will finish the season with 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits.  Cleveland has 37 sacks as a team in 2021.  Myles Garrett has 15 sacks in 14 games this season which is tied for third in the NFL.  He also has 16 tackles for loss and 28 quarterback hits in 2021.  The number one overall pick in 2017 is currently +400 to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart

QB: Baker Mayfield
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: D’Ernest Johnson
WR1: Rashard Higgins
WR2: Donovan Peoples-Jones
WR3: Jarvis Landry
TE1: Austin Hooper

Green Bay Packers Analysis

The Packers offense is averaging 360.4 yards of total offense per game, ranking them 14^th in the NFL.  Green Bay is scoring 25.6 points per game which ranks them 14^th in the league.  

In the NFC North division clinching win against Baltimore, Aaron Rodgers threw for 268 yards, three touchdowns, completed 74.2% of his passes for a 132.2 quarterback rating.  Rodgers is tied with Brett Favre for the most passing touchdowns in Packers’ history with 442.   In his 17^th season, he has thrown at least three touchdown passes in a game 80 times.  The three-time All-Pro has thrown for 3,487 yards, 30 touchdowns, four interceptions and completing 67.8 of his passes this campaign.  Additionally, he leads the league in quarterback rating (110.4) and QBR (67.3).  Currently, Rodgers is +125 to win his fourth NFL MVP.  

Davante Adams is one of the top three receivers in the NFL.  His ability to get off the line of scrimmage quickly and get into his breaks is extraordinary.  The chemistry he has with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is unbelievable.  In the victory over Baltimore, he averaged 11 yards a reception and scored a touchdown.  Adams has the second most receiving touchdowns in Packers’ history with 70.  On the season, he has 96 receptions (fourth in the league) for 1,248 yards (third in the NFL) and eight touchdowns; averaging 96 yards receiving per game.  In his career as a Packer, the reliable eight-year veteran is averaging 12.2 yards per reception.  Adams is +10000 to win Offensive Player of the Year.  Marquez Valdes-Scantling is second on the team in receiving yards with 427, but as mentioned earlier he’s questionable for the game due to being on the COVID-19 list.  

In the win vs. the Ravens, Aaron Jones rushed for 58 yards.  On the season, he leads Green Bay in rushing with 657 yards and four touchdowns: averaging 50.5 rushing yards per game.  Aaron Jones is the sixth player in Packers history with at least 4,000 career rushing yards, he currently has 4,021.  AJ Dillon is second on the team in rushing with 636 yards and three touchdowns: averaging 4.2 yards a carry.  AJ Dillon has three rushing touchdowns in his last five games.

The Green Bay defense is allowing 325.8 yards per game this season ranking them eighth in the NFL.  The Packers are allowing 21.6 points per game, ranking them 10^th in the league. 

Preston Smith leads Green Bay in sacks with seven in 2021.  With his size and speed, Rashan Gary is finally showing why he was a first-round pick in the 2019 draft.  This season, he has 6.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hits. 

Green Bay Depth Chart

QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB1: AJ Dillon
RB2: Aaron Jones
WR1: Davante Adams
WR2: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
WR3: Allen Lazard
TE1: Josiah Deguara

Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers Daily Fantasy Picks

Harrison Bryant could be a player that could see the ball more with the Browns offense dealing with injuries and players on the COVID-19 list.  He only has 18 receptions this season but is averaging 12.3 yards per catch.  Against the Raiders he caught what looked like to be the game-winning score, but unfortunately that was not the case in the end.  

Per NFL.com, Aaron Rodgers has at least 20 fantasy points 113 times in his career; tied for third most such games since 1950.   The one-time Super Bowl champion has had at least 10 wins and 30 or more touchdown passes in a season eight times.