The Browns should be well-rested coming into NFL week 3 Washington at Cleveland betting. Kevin Stefanski’s team looked good (on offense) last time out, edging the Bengals 35-30 on Thursday night football in week two. Bettors aren’t happy with Cleveland right now though, as the Bengals scored a late TD for a back door cover of the -6 spread.
Washington is also 1-1 coming into Sunday’s matchup. Ron Rivera’s squad scored a division win over Philadelphia in the opener, but is playing their second straight road game after falling 30-15 at Arizona last week. Oddsmakers like the Browns by 7 points, and the total looks on the low side at 45.
Washington Ready to Give Mayfield Fits?
The key on Sunday for the Washington football team is to pressure Browns QB Baker Mayfield into mistakes. Washington leads the NFL with 11 sacks through two games and rookie Chase Young has been as advertised with 2.5 sacks already on his young career. One bright side for Cleveland is that they’ve only allowed 1 sack this season.
Another issue heading into Washington at Cleveland betting is slow starts for the visitors. Washington was down 17-0 before coming back against Philadelphia and fell into a 20-0 hole at the half vs. Arizona.
The good news for Washington is that Cleveland will give up yards in chunks. Lamar Jackson was 20/25 for 275 yards and 3 TD in the opener while Joe Burrow racked up 316 and 3 TD in week two. The problem is that Washington doesn’t have the offense of those two teams. Dwayne Haskins is completing just 56% of his passes this season as Washington is 31st offensively in the passing game and only 25th in rushing.
Browns Too Versatile?
Washington can apply pressure on the QB, but the best way to beat that is with a sound running game. Cleveland has proven the ability to run the ball through two games behind the two-headed monster of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. That duo combined for 210 yards and 3 TD in week two as the Browns have the 2nd best ground game in the league through two games.
Mayfield also had a solid game against Cincinnati going 16/23 with 2 TD and an INT. Washington has allowed 270+ yards to both Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray, but on an average of 40 attempts and with 3 INT to go with it.
Something to note is that while Washington can get after the QB, they will also give up sacks with 3.5 allowed (28th) this season. Cleveland has averaged 2.5 sacks per game and it could be a big day for the likes of Myles Garrett, Adrian Clayborn, and Sheldon Richardson.
Washington at Cleveland Betting Free Pick
The Browns will be able to have up to 6,000 fans at Sunday’s game so there will be a slight home field advantage against Haskins and the Washington offense. Stefanski has done a great job of getting Chubb and Hunt both involved in the offense, which only expands the dangerousness of O’dell Beckham and Jarvis Landry.
Washington is playing their 2nd road game in a row after a tough trip to the desert in week two. Cleveland has been off since Thursday and is raring to go. This one should be Browns big.
Cleveland 31 Washington 14
Free Pick: Browns -7
