The Cleveland Browns (+3) are heading west to battle the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The game is scheduled to commence at 8:20 p.m. ET and spectators can witness the action live on NFL Network.
Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos Betting Preview
Cleveland is projected to play the role of underdog and is currently getting 3 points in this AFC game. The Browns are also receiving +130 moneyline odds while the Broncos are -150. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 44.5 points. It appears that there should be some good live betting opportunities in this contest.
The Browns have lost 0.8 units this season and are 8-5 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 6-7. The Broncos have lost 0.1 units for moneyline bettors so far. They’re 6-6-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-10.
The Browns are 5-7-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Broncos are 6-7 SU.
The Browns enter after a 26-20 win over Carolina last week in which Baker Mayfield completed 18 passes on 22 attempts for 238 yards and one touchdown. Nick Chubb (66 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) led the ground attack in the win. Chubb (four receptions, 17 yards) and Jarvis Landry (three catches, 57 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties.
In Week 14, San Francisco knocked off this Denver team by a score of 20-14. The Broncos defensive secondary allowed the 49ers to air it out for 332 yards and two touchdowns. George Kittle was outstanding, recording 210 yards on seven catches for the 49ers. For Denver, Case Keenum completed 24-of-42 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. Phillip Lindsay (30 rushing yards on 14 attempts, one TD) mounted the ground game in the defeat while Tim Patrick (seven receptions, 85 yards) and DaeSean Hamilton (seven catches, 47 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack.
When glancing at offensive play-calling, each team has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Cleveland’s run the ball on 42.4 percent of its offensive possessions while Denver has a rush percentage of 41.6. The Browns have run for 120 yards per game and have 15 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Broncos are logging 130 rushing yards per game and have 17 total rush TDs.
It seems like the Broncos should own an advantage when it comes to RB efficiency. Their backfield has generated 5.2 yards per carry while their defense has allowed a YPC of 4.5 to opponents. The Browns have tallied 4.6 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.7 to opponents.
The Browns offensive scheme has averaged 258 yards in the air overall and has 21 passing TDs so far. The Broncos have produced 245 pass yards per contest and have 16 total pass scores.
Defensively, Cleveland has allowed 133 rush yards and 292 pass yards per game. The Denver defense has allowed 285.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 119.2 yards per game on the ground. The Browns are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.87 to opponents, while the Broncos have given up a 6.43 ANY/A.
Offensively, Mayfield has put up 2,480 passing yards this season. He’s completed 213-of-333 attempts with 18 passing scores and seven interceptions. He has a 6.64 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.09 over the last two games.
Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb and Breshad Perriman have combined to account for 476 total yards and four touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.
In the host locker room, Case Keenum has managed to complete 268-of-432 passes for 2,988 yards, 14 TDs and 10 INTs. Keenum’s ANY/A stands at 5.69 for the year and 5.28 over his past two outings.
Phillip Lindsay (810 rushing yards, seven rush TDs, one receiving touchdown on the year), Courtland Sutton (487 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Tim Patrick (158 receiving yards, one receiving TD) have combined to account for 404 total yards and four touchdowns the last two games.
RELATED: Week 15 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Browns at Broncos
SU Winner – Browns, ATS Winner – Browns, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Denver offense has lost three fumbles this season while Cleveland has lost six.
The Denver defense has sacked opposing QBs 40 times this season. Cleveland has recorded just 30 sacks.
Cleveland has produced 3.6 yards per carry across its last three contests and 4.9 over its last two.
Denver has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.3 over its last two.
Cleveland has won four of its last five games SU, with a December 2nd defeat to Houston accounting for the only loss over that span.
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