Cleveland Browns Regular Season Preview and NFL Betting Advice
Posted by D.Zamzack on Thursday,June 16, 2016 9:49, EDT in
Are you looking for some 2016 NFL predictions against the spread? The Cleveland Browns may have won a lowly three games in 2015, but the perpetually pitiful organization finally got something right by hiring widely-respected NFL ‘lifer’ Hue Jackson to lead the franchise in its latest rebuilding project.
Not only that, but Jackson acquired enigmatic quarterback Robert Griffin III to lead the Browns into a new era and many believe he’s the answer to help the aptly-named RG3 rebuild a career gone way off track in the nation’s capitol. Now, let’s get started with the top six NFL betting lines for the coming Cleveland Browns games.
Cleveland Browns Regular Season Preview and NFL Betting Advice
Week 3
Cleveland at Miami Dolphins (-7)
Analysis: Like the Browns, the Miami Dolphins also have a new head coach heading into 2016 with former Bears offensive coordinator taking over the task of repairing mediocre signal-caller Ryan Tannehill (he won’t). Not only are the Fins an uninspiring 4-6 SU in their last 10 home games, but Miami has also gone 2-8 ATS during the span under Tannehill’s leadership. Maybe it’s me, but I like Hue Jackson and RG3 far more than I do, Gase and Tannehill. Keep it simple and back the Browns to cover the spread in a thriller and improve on their 5-5 ATS mark over their last 10 road games.
The Pick: Miami 28 Cleveland 27
Week 4
Cleveland at Washington Redskins (-7.5)
Analysis: Washington won six of their final eight home games a year ago, but also went 1-2 over their final three, including their humbling 35-18 home playoff loss to Green Bay. Having said that…let me also say that I fully believe the Browns are going to come out with an extra special effort against Washington as new starting quarterback RG3 looks to stick it to his former team. The Browns and Redskins have met only three times since 2004, so throw out the SU and ATS trends for this contest. This Week 4 showdown is going to be all about Hue Jackson and RG3 doing their best to bring down a Washington team that may not be all that much better than Cleveland in 2016.
The Pick: Washington 31 Cleveland 28
Week 6
Cleveland at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
Analysis: The Tennessee Titans have turned to NFL veteran Mike Mularkey to lead them in a new direction but I’m not real fond of the hire and can see the Titans heading in a new direction (again) by this time next year. With the Titans going 1-9 SU and 2-7-1 ATS in their L/10 home games, I’m going with Hue Jackson to out-coach Mularkey while leading his Browns to the outright road win and accompanying ATS cover. Besides, Cleveland has won two in a row against Tennessee and man-handled the Titans 28-14 last season to cash in as a home Pick ‘Em.
The Pick: Cleveland 31 Tennessee 28
Week 10
Cleveland at Baltimore Ravens (-8.5)
Analysis: I know Cleveland is just 2-8 SU in their last 10 games against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Browns are also 5-5 ATS over the span against their AFC North division rivals and split last season’s two matchups SU and ATS with both teams winning on the road. More importantly, Cleveland has gone 5-1 ATS in their last half-dozen road games against the Ravens with only two of those games being decided by more than seven points. Simply put, back the Browns to cover the NFL betting line in a divisional matchup that is generally a knock-down, drag-out affair.
The Pick: Baltimore 30 Cleveland 24
Week 14
Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5) at Cleveland
Analysis: I know the Browns got completely obliterated in both of their two regular season meetings against Cincinnati last season, but they also beat the Bengals twice in 2014 while covering the spread both times. The Bengals are 3-3 SU over the last six meetings and 4-3 ATS over the last seven meetings and I can se this Week 14 clash turning into another closer-than-expected affair that the new-look Browns cover the spread in.
The Pick: Cleveland 24 Cincinnati 21
Week 16
San Diego Chargers (-2) at Cleveland
Analysis: I’m no going to put any focus on the Browns for this Week 16 pairing. Instead, let’s look at San Diego’s awful 2-8 SU mark in its last 10 road games. Philip Rivers and the Chargers have dropped three straight on the road and eight of their last nine overall. Strangely enough, the Bolts have managed to cover the spread in their final seven road games a year ago. Still, I’m going to back the Browns to get it done at home by recording the outright home win in a high-scoring affair.
The Pick: Cleveland 35 San Diego 31
