New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns (10/16/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart
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This Sunday, we get an interesting AFC matchup of playoff hopefuls with the New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns. Both teams have shown fight this year, but while one came away with a dominating win last week, the other saw another tough close loss. Check out this New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns prediction for depth charts, injuries, odds, betting picks, and depth charts.
New England Patriots Vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Odds
This New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns matchup is one I’m very much looking forward to this week. The Patriots are now 2-3 after following a win over the Detroit Lions and 2-2-1 against the spread (ATS). Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns just dropped to 2-3 with a 2-3 ATS record after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers. One team has to get to .500 as the Browns are -2.5 home favorites with a point total of 43.5.
New England Patriots Vs. Cleveland Browns Prediction
Honestly, this is a hard Cleveland Browns team to wager on right now. While the team has kept games dangerously close at times, the key word there is dangerous. The Browns have blown leads and squandered opportunities numerous times this year, such as the Jacoby Brissett interception that just about sealed Cleveland’s fate last week against the Chargers. The team’s core offensive pieces are definitely performing this year, with RB Nick Chubb (593 rushing yards), WR Amari Cooper (304 receiving yards), and TE David Njoku (289 receiving yards) contributing to a Top 5 offense. However, a defense that’s allowing 25 points per game and a coaching staff that’s been unable to put away wins has me cool on this squad.
The New England Patriots, on the other hand, seem to be hitting their stride as of late. The team is coming off a 29-0 thumping of the Detroit Lions, who came into the game with the top offense in the league. Rookie QB Bailey Zappe is looking likely to start this one, and he’s now played in two ATS covers for the Pats and put up decent stats thus far. Whether it’s Zappe or Jones in this one, I’m liking what I’ve seen the past few weeks from the Pats. And let’s not forget about RB Rhamondre Stevenson, who just put up 161 yards against the Lions and will likely be a focal point of the New England offense this week. If the New England defense can keep last week’s momentum and the offense controls the clock, I believe the Pats can come away with the upset. I’m liking the Patriots on the moneyline this week and taking the under.
Prediction: Patriots ML, under hits
Betting Trends
- The Under is 7-1 in the last eight Browns games against a sub-.500 team
- Cleveland is 2-9 against the spread the week after having less than 150 rushing yards
- New England is 7-2 ATS in the last nine games after covering the spread
Key Injuries
New England Patriots Injuries: Mac Jones (Q), Jalen Mills (Q), RaeKwon McMillan (Q), Jakobi Meyers (Q), Nelson Agholor (Q), Demarcus Mitchell (Q), Jonnu Smith (Q), Lawrence Guy Sr. (Q), David Andrews (Q), Jonathan Jones (Q), Damien Harris (Q)
Cleveland Browns Injuries: Myles Garrett (Q), Denzel Ward (Q), Perrion Winfrey (Q), Jadeveon Clowny (Q), Ronnie Harrison Jr. (Q), Joel Bitonio (Q), Demetric Felton Jr. (P), Taven Bryan (Q), Greedy Williams (Q), Deion Jones (Q)
Key Matchups
Check out the key matchups and mismatches for New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns below.
Patriots RBs vs the Cleveland Browns Front Seven
It might be an understatement to say that RB Rhanondre Stevenson had a breakout game last week. The young runner absolutely flattened the Detroit defense for 161 yards and a 6.4 average. Now he faces what has been one of the lesser run defenses in the league this year. Cleveland has allowed 138.2 yards per game on the ground this season, and just let Chargers RB Austin Ekeler cook for 173 yards with a 10.8 average. Damien Harris was limited at practice this week, but should play this Sunday as well to give New England a formidable rushing duo. Whether the Pats start Bailey Zappe or Mac Jones at QB, the team will likely lean on its RBs, especially if they have early success against this disappointing defense.
Cleveland Browns Skill Players vs Patriots Defense
After seeing New England shut out Detroit’s high-flying offense last week, I’m chomping at the bit to see how head coach Bill Belichick looks to neutralize Cleveland’s different offensive weapons that have the team putting up 26.6 points per game. The key will be to limit RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but New England hasn’t had much success against two-headed running attacks, as seen with Green Bay runners Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon combining for 183 yards just a few weeks ago. And, while QB Jacoby Brissett has been inconsistent overall, he has steadily found both TE David Njoku and WR Amari Cooper.
New England Patriots Depth Chart
QB: Mac Jones
RB1: Damien Harris
RB2: Rhamondre Stevenson
LWR: Nelson Algohor
RWR: DeVante Parker
SWR: Jakobi Meyers
TE1: Hunter Henry
Cleveland Browns Depth Chart
QB: Jacoby Brissett
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: Kareem Hunt
LWR: Donovan Peoples-Jones
RWR: Amari Cooper
SWR: David Bell
TE1: David Njoku
