NFL Week 5 Chargers at Browns Betting Preview
LAC the Road Favorite Here
We’ve got a slight home ‘dog in the Chargers at Browns betting matchup as Cleveland is getting +1.5 in their week 5 meeting with L.A. Both teams come into the game 2-2 on the season, but the Browns’ two losses have come by a total of 4 points in their 31-30 defeat to the Jets and falling 23-20 to the Falcons last Sunday.
The Chargers got back on track with a 34-24 victory over Houston last week to cover just a -5.5 point spread on the road. L.A. had fallen out of favor with oddsmakers following their 38-10 home loss to the Jaguars in week three, but it looks like the faith is restored. A slight 55% of the betting public still likes Cleveland at home.
Herbert Looks Alright
There were some concerns about his injured ribs prior to last Sunday’s game, but Justin Herbert looks just fine after going 27/39 for 340 yards and 2 TDs vs. Houston. The cartilage issues might just be something Herbert deals with all season, but Mike Williams having 7 grabs for 120 yards definitely makes the QB’s life easier.
The Chargers thought they’d be getting Keenan Allen back soon, but his hamstring continues to be problematic. Throw in the fact that WR Joshua Palmer (ankle) and TE Gerald Everett (hamstring) are also dealing with their own issues and the LAC #1 passing offense (307.3 ypg) looks a bit depleted.
Even though Austin Ekeler had 60 yards and 2 TDs last week, the Chargers still don’t have much of a run game at just 64.5 ypg which is fewest in the NFL. On the other side of the field the Browns 187.3 ypg on the ground which is the second most in the NFL, so the fact that Texans rookie Dameon Pierce had 131 yards on just 14 carries last week vs. L.A could be an issue.
Browns Better Than They Look
It was another late loss last week for Cleveland, falling 23-20 to the Falcons on the road as Younghoe Koo hit a 45-yard field goal with just over 2 minutes left and Jacoby Brissett was picked off late to end the Browns comeback bid. That wasn’t as bad as the blown 30-17 lead to the Jets with 1:55 left in week two, but Cleveland is dangerously close to a would be 4-0 record.
Instead of looking back at what could have been, the goal in the Chargers at Browns betting matchup in week five is for Cleveland to get to 3-2. They can do that behind Nick Chubb and their running game against an LAC defense that is averaging 140 rush yards allowed the last two weeks.
The Browns also got some good news that Myles Garrett will be available to play even after being involved in a car wreck this week. Garrett has 3 sacks on the year, and the more pressure you can get on Herbert the better your chances are going to be.
Free Chargers at Browns Betting Pick
It’s always interesting for a West Coast team to head East of the Mississippi game, especially when they’re a little banged up and against a team that can run the ball and play good defense. It wouldn’t have been a shocker to see the Browns as -3 or higher favorites here, so the fact you can get them at +1.5 is gravy.
Free Pick: Browns +1.5
