The Cleveland Browns (7-7, 2-4 away) look to keep their playoff hopes alive in a Week 16 interconference clash with the Green Bay Packers (11-3, 6-0 home). Cleveland is coming into Saturday’s game after a 16-14 setback to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. The Packers defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 31-30, on the road Sunday night.
Saturday’s kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. EST at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. The Packers are a 7.5-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 46 points.
What to Know – Cleveland Browns
COVID cases ran through the Browns roster last week, moving their game against the Raiders from Saturday to Monday. Now the Browns must head to Lambeau on a short week and play in what could be a must-win for Cleveland. The Browns control their own destiny, and picking up wins over the final three weeks would lock them into the playoffs.
The Browns score 20.9 points per game while averaging 356.4 yards of total offense. Cleveland’s defense holds opponents to 21.8 points and 337.9 yards of total offense per game.
Due to COVID, Cleveland played Monday’s contest against the Raiders without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and numerous other contributing players. Nick Mullens filled in under center, completing 20-of-30 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Nick Chubb added 23 carries for 91 yards and a score.
Cleveland is 6-8 against the spread this year and 2-5 ATS over its last seven games. The Browns 3-3 ATS in road games and 1-5 ATS in their last six against the Packers.
What to Know – Green Bay Packers
The Packers own the best record in the NFL heading into the weekend and are the only franchise to have already clinched the division. Green Bay has won three in a row and four of their last five to position themselves for the lone bye in the NFC.
Green Bay’s offense averages 25.6 points per game while generating 374.3 yards of total offense. The Packers surrender 21.6 points per game on defense, allowing offenses to average 343.0 yards of offense.
Baltimore failed at another 2-point conversion in the closing seconds of Sunday’s game against GB, allowing the Packers to escape Baltimore with an important road win. Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes, and AJ Dillon rushed for another in a game that saw 700 yards of offense between the two teams.
The Packers are 11-3 ATS this year and a perfect 6-0 record ATS at Lambeau. Green Bay has a 4-1 record straight up in their last five against teams from the AFC.
The Pick is In
Baker Mayfield is expected to be back for the Browns in their biggest game of the season. The Packers have been lights out at home, but mounting injuries are starting to take their toll on a defense that was very strong to begin the season.
Green Bay wins, but the Browns make it exciting and keep this game within a touchdown.
Betting Pick: Cleveland Browns +7.5
