[1:00 PM] Patriots @ Browns

Who will WIN this matchup?

New England Patriots (3-1)

@ Cleveland Browns (0-4)

 

Current odds:

New England Patriots: (-550)

Cleveland Browns: (+425)

 

• ESPN simulations have New England as XX% favorites to cover the spread.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on New England to win as (XX) favorites.

• The line for this game is New England by 10.5 points.

•  Tom Brady makes his much-anticipated return to the NFL when the New England Patriots visit the winless Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon. Brady, who served a four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate, will be returning at a perfect time for New England, which is coming off its first shutout loss in the history of Gillette Stadium.

• Brady’s last game action was against the New York Giants in the preseason finale on Sept. 1, when he complete 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but wide receiver Danny Amendola said there was no concerns about rust being a factor.  The quarterback carousel aside, New England’s offense could use a healthy Rob Gronkowski, who has only one reception in two games and was limited again Thursday by a hamstring injury. Fellow tight end Marcellus Bennett has a pair of 100-yard games, while the defense ranks 19th overall.

• With rookie Cody Kessler set to make his second career start, Cleveland will try to lean on a ground game that averages an NFL-best 149.3 yards per game behind Isaiah Crowell, who is second in the league with 394 yards rushing. Kessler rallied the Browns from a double-digit deficit for the second straight week, only to see Cleveland failed to protect a three-point fourth-quarter edge in a 31-20 loss to Washington after blowing halftime leads in Weeks 2 and 3. Cleveland is allowing 28.8 points per game and has recorded only six sacks.

• The Patriots are 40-6 following a loss since the start of the 2003 season.

• Browns WR Terrelle Pryor, a converted quarterback, has 13 receptions and a touchdown over the past two games

• Belichick needs one win to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time list with 227.

StreakSmarts Pick: New England Patriots

Confidence: 7/10

Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Previous Pick
Next Pick