The Browns (-1) are gearing up to welcome the Carolina Panthers to Cleveland. This early afternoon matchup is scheduled to get going at 1:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to FOX.
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns Betting Preview
In this Sunday matchup, Cleveland has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 1 point. The Panthers are also receiving -115 moneyline odds while the Browns are -105. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 47 points, and should one team catches a lucky break in the early stages, it will probably generate a worthy live betting opportunity.
The game’s O/U has swung higher after initially being set at 46.5. The opening line of 1 hasn’t budged.
The Panthers have lost 1.1 units so far and are 5-7 against the spread (ATS). The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 7-5. The Browns have lost 1.9 units this season. The team is 7-5 ATS and has an even O/U record of 6-6.
The Panthers are 6-6 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Browns are 4-7-1 SU.
The Panthers will look to get back on track after a 24-17 defeat to Tampa Bay last week in which Cam Newton completed 28 passes for 300 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. Christian McCaffrey (106 rushing yards on 10 attempts) led the running attack. McCaffrey (nine receptions, 55 yards, one TD) and Curtis Samuel (six catches, 88 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
In Week 13, Houston knocked off this Cleveland team by a score of 29-13. Baker Mayfield completed 29-of-43 passes for 397 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Nick Chubb (31 yards on nine rush attempts, one TD) mounted the running game as Jarvis Landry (six receptions, 103 yards) and Dontrell Hilliard (four catches, 40 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each squad has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Carolina’s run the ball on 43.2 percent of its offensive possessions while Cleveland has a rush percentage of 42.1. The Panthers have run for 141 yards/game and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Browns are totaling 121 rushing yards per game and have 13 total rush TDs.
Judging by the numbers so far, it seems like the Panthers ought to hold an advantage when it comes to RB effectiveness. Their backfield has produced 5.5 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 4.1 to opponents. The Browns have rushed for 4.5 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.8 to opponents.
The Panthers offense has logged 251 yards/contest in the air overall and has 24 passing TDs so far. The Browns have recorded 259 pass yards per game and have 20 total pass scores.
Carolina appears to have the upper hand in both defensive phases. The team’s allowed opponents to run for an average of 96 yards and pass for 272 yards per game. The Cleveland D has given up 291.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 136.4 yards per game to opposing runners. The Browns are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.88 to opponents, while the Panthers have given up a 6.92 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Newton is up to 2,743 yards this year. He’s connected on 68 percent of his 370 attempts with 22 passing scores and 10 interceptions. He has a 6.48 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.16 over the last two outings.
Baker Mayfield has completed 205-of-328 passes for 2,381 yards, 14 TDs and 10 INTs for Cleveland. His ANY/A sits at 5.88 for the season and 8.99 over his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 14 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Betting Pick: Panthers at Browns
SU Winner – Browns, ATS Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
Carolina has produced 7.2 yards per carry over its last three contests and 8.4 over its last two.
Cleveland has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three matchups and only 2.6 over its past two.
Both teams have lost four fumbles this season.
The Panthers offense has registered two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Browns have put up three such plays.
The Carolina defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40+ yards, while Cleveland has given up seven such plays.
The Carolina offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Cleveland has created 13 such runs.
The Panthers defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Browns have given up 11 such runs.
Each team defense has tallied 29 sacks this year.
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