Raiders vs. Browns: NFL Week 15 betting odds, preview, and pick
Cleveland Browns Running Back Nick Chubb (24) breaking a tackle during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
December 14th, 2021
*This game has been postponed and moved to Monday, Dec. 20 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
The Las Vegas Raiders are quickly falling out of playoff contention, but will get a shot to gain ground on another contender as they travel to Cleveland on Saturday to face the Browns.
Let's examine this AFC matchup, beginning with the latest betting odds.
Raiders are losing in the trenches
Las Vegas has now lost five of its past six games after getting blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Once again, the Raiders failed to find any semblance of a run game. Meanwhile, they allowed 132 rushing yards to a team that is mostly known for their passing game.
#Chiefs stadium crew mocking the Raiders bus lap around Arrowhead last year with “ Wheels on the Bus” playing #Chiefskingdom pic.twitter.com/dBdObd9IKf
— Alex Gold (@AlexGold) December 12, 2021
The Raiders rank 29th in the NFL in rushing offense at 84.6 yards per game, and 26th in rushing defense at 125.3 yards allowed per game. They have also allowed 31 sacks this year, which ranks in the bottom half of the NFL. This combination has caused them to have the 31st ranked scoring defense in the league.
Cleveland is not a team that is easy to beat in the trenches. The Raiders will need to offset this with some quick passes and screen plays to make up for their lack of a run game and to keep Derek Carr from getting sacked.
The AFC North door is open for Browns
After a much needed bye week, the Browns came out and got a massive win over the Baltimore Ravens last week. They now sit at 7-6 and are only one game behind the Ravens for the AFC North lead. They also have the tiebreaker over the Ravens and a better division record.
.@denzelward putting down the hammer! 💥
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 12, 2021
📺: #BALvsCLE on CBS
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/TVXBjHcldT
The Browns once again won with defense. They have the fifth ranked total defense, allowing 321.2 total yards per game. They also rank sixth in the NFL in sacks (35). Combine this with their strong rushing attack and you have a deadly combo for playoff football.
While the Browns have not had the greatest rushing performances as of late, they still rank fourth in the NFL in rushing at 143.5 yards per game. They will look to dominate the trenches on both sides of the football this week against a Raiders team that struggles in that department.
Raiders vs. Browns Injury Report
| Las Vegas Raiders | Cleveland Browns |
|---|
RB Jalen Richard: Questionable (illness) | TE David Njoku: Questionable (illness) |
RB Kenyan Drake: Out (ankle) | LB Anthony Walker: Questionable (illness) |
LB Nick Kwiatkowski: Out (ankle) | P Jamie Gillan: Questionable (illness) |
DE Carl Nassib: Questionable (knee) | RB Kareem Hunt: Doubtful (ankle) |
LB Denzel Perryman: Questionable (ankle) | TE Harrison Bryant: Questionable (ankle) |
TE Darren Waller: Questionable (knee/back) | S Ronnie Harrison Jr.: Questionable (ankle) |
TE Foster Moreau: Questionable (muscle strain) | CB Greg Newsome II: Questionable (concussion) |
DE Maxx Crosby: Questionable (calf) | CB Troy Hill: Doubtful (knee) |
Raiders and Browns betting trends
- The favorite is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings
- The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings
- The Raiders are 1-5 ATS in their last six games vs. AFC opponents
- The Over is 9-2 in the Raiders' last 11 games following a straight-up loss
- The Browns are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a losing road record
- The Under is 4-0 in the Browns's last four games vs. a team with a losing record
Complete mismatch of styles
This game is set up perfectly for the Browns to get another big win on their road to the playoffs. Cleveland should dominate in the trenches and find plenty of running room against the Raiders defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Raiders will find it very tough to move the ball without finding some quick hitters. The Browns will be able to pressure Carr and get after him if they bring the blitz.
I like the Browns to win this game easily and move one step closer to not only a playoff spot, but that AFC North division title.
Score prediction: Browns 27, Raiders 10
NFL Week 15 picks: Browns -6, Under 43
Raiders vs. Browns pick powered by The Quant Edge
Our predictive engine is calling for the Browns to win outright and for the score to go Over the projected total.
ADVERTISEMENT
