Cleveland Browns (2-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
October 3, 2021 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Vikings +2/ Cleveland Browns -2; Over/Under: 53
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings meet Sunday afternoon in week a 4 NFL showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cleveland Browns look for a third straight win to improve to 3-1 on the year. The Minnesota Vikings look for back-to-back wins to get to a .500 record.
The Cleveland Browns have won four of their last six road games. Bake Mayfield is completing 73.8 percent of his passes for 780 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Kareem Hunt and David Njoku have combined for 198 receiving yards on 15 catches while Austin Hooper has 10 receptions. The Cleveland Browns ground game is averaging 174.7 yards per contest, and Nick Chubb leads the way with 262 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Cleveland is allowing 20 points and 248.7 yards per game. Myles Garrett leads the Cleveland Browns with 14 tackles, Jadeveon Clowney has two sacks and Malcolm Smith has one interception.
The Minnesota Vikings have won four of their last six home games. Kirk Cousins is completing 73.9 percent of his passes for 918 yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. Justin Jefferson and KJ Osborn have combined for 447 receiving yards and three touchdowns while Adam Thielen has 21 receptions. The Minnesota Vikings ground game is averaging 128 yards per contest, and Dalvin Cook leads the way with 192 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Minnesota is allowing 26 points and 409.7 yards per game. Eric Kendricks leads the Minnesota Vikings with 37 tackles, Danielle Hunter has four sacks and Nick Vigil has one interception.
The Browns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The under is 5-2 in Browns last 7 games as a favorite. The over is 5-1 in Vikings last 6 games overall.
The Browns are off to a strong start, as they have a top-10 defense, the second best rushing attack and their only loss was a down to the wire game against the Chiefs. The Vikings finally finished a game last week, and while Cook is banged up, Minnesota has a quality offense that can move the ball and is currently third in total offense. Quietly one of the better games on this week 4 card, but I lean toward the Vikings and the points at home. The Vikings are better than they’re getting credit for and that defense will come along over time. Give me the points.
