The Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts meet Sunday in NFL action from Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns are 3-2 so far this year. Cleveland is coming off a close win over the 49ers in Week 6. As for Indianapolis, they fell to 3-3 on the season after a loss to the Jaguars back on Sunday. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have had a pretty uneven year so far, but the good news is that they’re coming off a win. Cleveland started out with a 24-3 win over the Bengals, but then fell to the rival Steelers 26-22 in Week 2. The Browns followed that up with a blowout win over the Titans 27-3 and a 28-3 blowout loss to the Ravens the next weekend.
After a bye week, the Browns got back to action on Sunday versus the 49ers. Cleveland fell behind 7-0 early but held San Francisco to just 10 points the rest of the way in a 19-17 win. Phillip Walker provided 192 pass yards and a pair of picks. Jerome Ford topped the rush on 84 yards from 17 carries, and Amari Cooper posted four catches for 108 yards.
Cleveland Browns Team Facts
- The Browns have won each of their last seven games against AFC South opponents.
- The Browns have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as road favorites against AFC opponents.
- The Browns have lost the first half in each of their last eight Week 7 road games.
- The Browns have lost the first quarter in eight of their last nine Sunday games as road favorites.
- The Browns have scored the first touchdown in each of their last six games against AFC South opponents.
Indianapolis Colts
Over on the Colts’ side, they rebounded well this year after a 31-21 loss to the Jaguars in the opener, taking out the Texans 31-20 and the Ravens 22-19 over the next two games. Indianapolis fell to the Rams in OT the next week 29-23 but came back for a 23-16 victory versus the Titans to move back to 3-2 overall.
Indianapolis got a road rematch against the Jaguars in Week 6, and things didn’t go so well. The Colts gave up 21 points in the second quarter alone and ended up with a loss 37-20. Gardner Minshew put up 329 yards with one TD and three interceptions, and Michael Pittman had 109 yards off nine catches. Zack Moss managed 21 yards and a score rushing as well.
Indianapolis Colts Team Facts
- The Colts have won four of their last five games as underdogs following a Division loss.
- The Colts have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games against AFC North opponents.
- The Colts have lost the first half in eight of their last nine home games against AFC opponents.
- The Colts have won the first quarter in four of their last five Sunday games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Colts have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last 10 games as home underdogs against AFC opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Colts rank 31st in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game this season (6.3).
- The Colts rank T2nd in the NFL in Q4 win percentage this season (66.7).
- The Browns rank 1st in the NFL in yards allowed per game this season (200.4).
- The Browns rank 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game this season (121.4).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stick with Cleveland here. I could go either way on this one, though. The Browns played a sloppy game versus the 49ers in their last outing, with 13 penalties and 25 overall between both teams. The defense was the star in that one, holding San Francisco to just 215 total yards (107 passing), 15 first downs and 3-of-12 on third downs. It was a nice bounce-back effort after the Ravens game and could be a sign of good things to come.
As for Indianapolis, they couldn’t get it together after four turnovers against Jacksonville and really looked rough at times. The offense has generated more than 23 points just once this season, which is hurting the team in higher-scoring games. I don’t see the scoreboard going crazy on either side here, but I still like Cleveland better on the cover.
