The Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns face off on Thursday to kick off the NFL week at FirstEnergy Stadium. When these two teams last faced off in 2019, the Broncos won 24-19.
There are high expectations surrounding this Browns team, but they currently sit with a 3-3 record, and the injuries are really piling up. The Browns have lost the last two games, and the defense has given up a total of 79 points. In the last game, the offense could only manage 14 points. The Browns are averaging 26 points while the defense is giving up 25.17 points. The biggest issue heading into this game has to do with injuries. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are both out for this game. Odell Beckham Jr, Jadeveon Clowney, Jarvis Landry, and Myles Garrett are all questionable heading into this game. Baker Mayfield has been ruled out of this game which means Case Keenum will be making the start. The Browns are going to need some of the reserves to step up in this game.
On the other side of this match is the Broncos who beat up on some bad teams early in the season but since that point, they have really struggled. In the last game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the defense struggled giving up 34 points. The Broncos are averaging 21 points per game while the defense is giving up 18.3 points per game. The Broncos are also dealing with injuries, but not as many as the Browns. Garrett Bolles is questionable, and if he is out, that is a big loss. Teddy Bridgewater is also dealing with a foot injury, but he is expected to be able to go. In the last game against the Raiders, he threw three interceptions, and that can’t happen again in this game.
The Broncos are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games in October. The Browns are 5-2 against the spread in their last 7 games following an against the spread loss. The home team is 4-1 in the last five meetings. The under is 5-2 in the Broncos last seven road games.
The Browns are dealing with plenty of injuries, but they are still the better team, even banged up. Teddy Bridgewater isn’t the answer for the Broncos, and there are going to be plenty of turnovers again in this game. Look for the Broncos to stay under 20 points, and that will lead to the Browns covering the spread.