The Cleveland Browns (+3) are flying south to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. FOX is scheduled to televise the action and this early afternoon game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview
Cleveland is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 3 points in this game. The Browns are also receiving +130 moneyline odds while the Buccaneers are -150. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 49 points, and if one team can create a bunch of points early on, it’ll likely lead to a reasonable in-game betting scenario.
The game’s total has been driven down after opening at 49.5. The original line of -3 has remained consistent.
The Browns are 4-2 against the spread (ATS) and are down 0.8 units so far in 2018. The team’s posted an O/U record of 3-3. The Buccaneers are up 1.4 units this season. The team is 2-3 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-0.
The Browns have gone 2-3-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Buccaneers are 2-3 SU.
The Browns look to get back on track after a 38-14 defeat to the Chargers in Week 6Their defense allowed the Chargers to eat up the clock by rushing for 246 yards on 36 attempts, including three rush TDs. Melvin Gordon III was unmatched for the Chargers in that one with 132 rushing yards and all three touchdowns on 18 attempts. On the offensive side, Baker Mayfield completed just 22-of-46 passes for 238 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Carlos Hyde (just 34 yards on 14 rushes) led the ground attack while David Njoku (seven receptions, 55 yards, one TD) and Damion Ratley (six catches, 82 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
In Week 6, Atlanta took care of this Tampa Bay crew by a score of 34-29. The Bucs defensive secondary allowed the Falcons to air it out for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Julio Jones put up a good outing for Atlanta, recording 143 yards on 10 catches. For Tampa Bay, Jameis Winston completed 30-of-41 passes for 395 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Peyton Barber (82 rushing yards on 13 attempts) led the running game while Chris Godwin (six receptions, 56 yards, one TD) and DeSean Jackson (four catches, 77 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Cleveland has run the ball on 42.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Tampa Bay has an overall rush percentage of 36.9 percent. The Browns have rushed for 138 yards per game and have eight scores on the ground this year. The Bucs are totaling 80 rush yards per game and have only one rushing TD.
The Browns offensive scheme has logged 256 yards/game through the air overall and has six passing scores so far. The Bucs have recorded a superb 379 pass yards per outing and have 16 total pass TD.
On the defensive side of the ball, Cleveland should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 138 rush yards and 283 pass yards per game. The Tampa Bay D has given up 366.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 84.2 yards per game to opposing runners. The Browns are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.37 to opposing QBs, while the Bucs have allowed a staggering 9.92 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Mayfield is up to 734 yards on the year, and has connected on 55 percent of his 110 attempts with three scores through the air and four interceptions. Mayfield’s got a 4.80 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.27 over the last two outings.
The Browns will likely try to maintain tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with David Njoku (176 yards, one TD), Duke Johnson Jr. (76 rush yards, 157 receiving yards) and Carlos Hyde (319 rush yards, five rush TDs) have delivered in the offensive scheme for Cleveland.
Jameis Winston has completed 30-of-41 passes for 395 yards, four TDs and two INTs for Tampa Bay. His ANY/A stands at 8.81 for the year and 6.82 across his past two games.
The Bucs also like to heavily feature their backfield. In addition to DeSean Jackson (389 receiving yards, three receiving TDs), Peyton Barber (206 rush yards, 31 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Adam Humphries (four rush yards, 147 receiving yards) have gotten a multitude of touches lately.
RELATED: Week 7 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Betting Pick: Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SU Winner – Buccaneers, ATS Winner – Buccaneers, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
Cleveland has produced 5.3 yards per carry across its last three games and 4.4 over its last two.
Tampa Bay has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.8 over its past two.
Both teams have lost two fumbles this season.
The Browns offense has registered three pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Buccaneers have put up eight such plays.
Both defenses have allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more. The Cleveland defense has given up seven pass plays of 30+ yards while Tampa Bay has permitted 15 such plays.
The Cleveland offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Tampa Bay has created three such runs.
The Browns defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Buccaneers have given up four such runs.
The Cleveland D has 15 sacks on the year while Tampa Bay has just nine.
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