Bears vs. Browns: NFL Week 3 betting odds, preview, and pick
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes the ball during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)
September 21st, 2021
The Cleveland Browns will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday after both teams bounced back from Week 1 losses.
Let's examine this interconference matchup, beginning with the latest betting odds.
It might be Justin Fields' time
The question in Chicago has been, how long would it take for Justin Fields to take over the starting quarterback job? Well, it may be sooner rather than later, and not because of his play. Andy Dalton went down with a non-contact injury in the second quarter in Week 2 while running out of bounds on a scramble.
Dalton was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his knee, so his status in uncertain going forward. However, head coach Matt Nagy said that Dalton will remain the starter if he is healthy. That was not welcome news to Bears fans.
The #Bears were clear that Andy Dalton is the starting QB when healthy. This is an injury that can cause players to miss time. If that’s the case, Justin Fields will make his first start vs. the #Browns. https://t.co/IOyI4mv23A
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2021
Although it is unlikely that Dalton will be ready to play this Sunday, it's also unlikely that Fields will have a "field day" against Cleveland. The Browns rank 22nd in passing yards allowed, and have given up two rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks in as many weeks.
Baker running out of options
Baker Mayfield is off to a solid start to his fourth NFL season, and is averaging 267.0 passing yards per game with a quarterback rating of 101.9. However, he has been without Odell Beckham Jr., and now he may be without Jarvis Landry as well.
Landry sprained his MCL on his lone catch this past Sunday and his timetable for return is "week-to-week." The Browns have leaned heavily on Landry without Beckham, as he led the team with five targets in Week 1. All other wide receivers combined have a total of 10 targets through two games.
#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that WR Jarvis Landry has an MCL sprain and is week-to-week. It’s relatively minor, so sounds like 2-3 weeks.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2021
Mayfield will need to turn to his tight ends and running backs in the passing game. Luckily for him, the Browns are not lacking in those departments. Seven different players from these two positions have received at least one target thus far in 2021.
Bears vs. Browns Injury Report
| Chicago Bears | Cleveland Browns |
|---|
RB Tarik Cohen: Out (knee) | LB Anthony Walker: Out (hamstring) |
LB Danny Trevathan: Out (knee) | OT Chris Hubbard: Out (triceps) |
OT Larry Borom: Out (ankle) | WR Odell Beckham Jr.: Questionable (knee) |
DT Eddie Goldman: Out (knee) | WR Jarvis Landry: Questionable (knee) |
QB Andy Dalton: Questionable (knee) | QB Baker Mayfield: Questionable (shoulder) |
Bears and Browns Betting Trends
- The Bears are 1-5 ATS in their last six games as a road underdog
- The Bears are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS win
- The Over is 4-0 in the Bears' last four games following a straight-up win
- The Browns are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games
- The Over is 7-1 in the Browns' last eight games on grass
Cleveland will live up to the hype
The Browns came into this season with Super Bowl level hype for the first time since they rejoined the NFL in 1999. Now is the time to live up to their own lofty expectations and win home games against teams they are clearly better than.
Cleveland showed up last week with a big second half to put away the Houston Texans at home after putting up a strong fight in a road loss in Week 1 at Kansas City. The Bears come into this game with the 27th ranked scoring offense and the 29th ranked total offense. This is an opportunity for the Browns to show they have a solid defense and do not need to put so much pressure on their offense to put up points.
I expect the Browns to focus on the running game and short passing game even if Beckham returns on Sunday. I also like their chances to force some mistakes from Fields.
Score prediction: Browns 27, Bears 13
NFL Week 3 picks: Browns -7.5, Under 46.5
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