The Cleveland Browns have split their first three games with a spread mark of 1-1-1. They now enter last contest before an early bye week in Sunday’s home battle against the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed 14.3 PPG en route to the ‘under’ going 2-1.
Sportsbooks opened Cleveland as 1 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ while
first setting the ‘total’ at 37. Early NFL betting action on the Browns and ‘over’ has lifted both numbers north a ‘hook’ to two and 37 ½, respectively.
Browns edge out Dolphins at home
Browns quarterback Colt McCoy found wide out Mohamed Massaquoi for
a touchdown with 43 seconds remaining in last Sunday’s 17-16 home win for
Cleveland against the Miami Dolphins. The late score also ‘pushed’ the
game’s pointspread cover, with the Browns closing as one-point favorites.
McCoy connected on 19-of-39 passes, finishing with 210
yards. The 25-year-old handed off to backfield mate Montario Hardesty 14
times, dashing for 67 rushing yards.
The Browns’ defense notched five sacks during Miami’s 38 minutes
of possession, while giving up 369 total yards. Defensive back Mike Adams
snagged his first interception of the year, while mate Ahtyba Rubin recorded a
team-high eight tackles.
The tight affair’s combined 33 points dipped below the ‘total’ of
41 ½. Cleveland allowed one touchdown in Miami’s three red zone trips,
while being penalized eight times for 85 yards.
Titans fail to cover in second straight win
Tennessee notched it's second straight home win in last Sunday’s
17-14 triumph as a seven-point favorite against the Denver Broncos. Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdowns, including a late
four-yard strike to tight end Daniel Graham.
Hasselbeck notched a season-high 119.1 passer rating, completing
27-of-36 attempts for 311 yards. The 14-year veteran found his favorite
target Nate Washington eight times, spanning 92 yards.
The Titans’ defense held Denver to 231 total yards, allowing 59 on
the ground. Linebacker Will Witherspoon registered his squad’s sole sack,
while snagging one of it's two interceptions.
The contest’s combined 31 points ducked ‘under’ the ‘total’ of 42
½. Titans placekicker Rob Bironas hit a 46-yard field goal in a 1-for-1
day, while his mates were flagged for 11 penalties.
Back the ‘under’ at the “Dog Pound”
Sunday’s kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET). The early
weather forecast in Cleveland calls for a sunny 61 degrees, with calm winds.
In this NFL free pick I recomend backing the ‘under,’ sensing both clubs are in
for a repeat of their tight battles fought last week.
Tennessee has had one of the league’s top defenses, giving up an
average of 251 YPG. Titans cornerback Jason McCourty has grabbed an
interception in two straight games, while adding 14 tackles over three weeks.
Cleveland’s defense has been solid against the pass, allowing a
stingy 187.3 YPG through the air, while D’Qwell Jackson and Ahtyba
Rubin have led their squad in sacks with 2 ½ each, keeping QBs on their toes.
Hasselbeck had a tougher time moving the ball in Tennessee’s Week
1 trip to Jacksonville compared to his last two weeks at home. The Titans
mustered only 20 minutes of possession in that road outing, while their defense
allowed the Jaguars into the red zone only once.
Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt is listed as doubtful for
Sunday’s game after suffering a leg injury against Denver. The New Jersey
native caught three touchdowns in his first two games and will be missed by
Hasselbeck as a target.
The
Browns have put up a meager 17 PPG in their two home games, held to 193 YPG of
passing in both outings. Look for Cleveland to rely on its running game,
which will eat the clock as ‘under’ tickets cash.
My Pick: Take the 'Under'