Browns vs. Giants: The best betting props for SNF

The Baltimore Ravens put an end to the Cleveland Browns’ winning streak on Monday night in what was potentially the game of the season. Lamar Jackson returned from his “cramps” to set up a dramatic game-winning drive in a 47-42 victory.

That defeat will have stung, and the Browns will be fired up to get back out on the field. That isn’t great news for the Giants, despite New York winning six of the last seven head-to-head meetings dating back the last 30 years.

The Giants welcome Cleveland to MetLife Stadium on Sunday Night Football and desperately need a win to keep pace in the NFC East, but the team is seriously banged up. Star cornerback James Bradberry is on the shelf, and Daniel Jones has issues with his hamstring and ankle. That might mean Colt McCoy starts at quarterback, which will have the talented Browns defensive line licking their lips.

Those issues under center aren’t going to help a Giants offense that already ranks 31st in the NFL in points per game, but despite a potentially low-scoring affair, there’s plenty of prop bets to get stuck into.

Nick Chubb Rushing Yards

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I backed the Unders on Chubb on Monday night, only to see him pick up 82 yards off 17 carries and beat the 77.5-yard line. I won’t be making the same mistake again as one of the league’s best two-down backs sets his sights on the Giants.

The Giants’ bare numbers would suggest they’ve been relatively strong against the run this year. No back for the 49ers, Rams, Eagles, Bengals, or Washington Football Team (twice) managed more than 46 yards against the Giants this season, but those numbers are slightly misleading. On average, New York have only faced 20 carries a game. The Browns average 28 carries a game, so Chubb should continue to see more touches.

New York gives up an average of 4.18 yards per carry, while Chubb’s average is a staggering 5.9 yards per run. In the five games since the Week 9 bye, Chubb has not ducked under 80 yards, averaging 109 yards per match. I’d be crazy to back against him this weekend considering the Browns could end up running the ball plenty if the Giants continue to struggle offensively.

Pick: Over 73.5 rushing yards (-115)

Sterling Shepard Receiving

The quarterback concerns for the Giants are not going to help wide receiver Sterling Shepard.

Jones was clearly hobbled last week, as he managed to put just seven points on the board, and Shepard hauled in three catches for just 35 yards. In the one game McCoy has started this year at the Seahawks, Shepard got six targets but hauled in just one catch for 22 yards. Either way, it’s not a great reading.

Shepard has gone for 47 yards or less in four of his last five games, and despite racking up an average of 4.6 receptions a game over those matches, he’s averaging just 41 yards.

In the last six weeks not a single Raven, Jaguar, Eagle, Texan or Raider wide receiver has gone for more than 52 yards against the Browns. Despite being banged up, Cleveland can still keep Shepard quiet.

Pick: Under 49.5 receiving yards (-115)

Baker Mayfield Passing

In terms of passing yardage, Mayfield is coming off three of his best games of the year, racking up 258 yards at Jacksonville, 334 yards at Tennessee and 343 yards last Monday against Baltimore. Mayfield is growing in confidence, but generally isn’t chucking the ball much.

Yes, Baker took to the sky 47 times on Monday, completing 28 passes. However, in six of his seven prior games, he threw 29 times or less. That isn’t great news, particularly as the Giants have allowed just 7.16 yards per attempt or less to all but three quarterbacks this season.

This would appear to be a game where the Browns run the rock. They are 6.5-point favorites with a total points line of 44, which is one of the lowest on the slate this weekend. The Giants are struggling on offense, and if the Browns go up early, expect them to hit the ground.

Pick: Under 224.5 passing yards (-115)

Jarvis Landry Receptions

Although I don’t expect Mayfield and the Browns to throw too much, when they do, their primary target is going to be Jarvis Landry. Volume is king on these props, and Landry has 30 targets in the last three weeks, which should fill us with confidence.

He’s caught at least six passes in those three games (against the Jags, Titans and Ravens), and although he hasn’t been torching anyone in terms of yards per target (8.4 yards), his volume is enough to keep us interested here – particularly as he is going to be covered by fourth-round rookie Darnay Holmes in the slot. He’s allowed 35 completions on 45 passes in his coverage, so Landry can see some joy here.

Pick: Over 4.5 receptions (-130)

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