The Cleveland Browns and the Seattle Seahawks meet Sunday in NFL action from Lumen Field. Cleveland is currently 4-2 on the season following a dramatic win over the Colts last weekend. As for Seattle, they’re sitting at 4-2 as well. The Seahawks beat the Cardinals by 10 in their last appearance. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Cleveland Browns 

The Browns have had a couple of hiccups so far this season but overall they’ve been competitive. Cleveland averages 22.3 points per game, which puts them near the middle of the pack in the league (but behind teams like the Bears and Texans). Defensively the Browns have held opponents to 19.2 points per game on the other side, which has helped the team maintain their winning record. 

Back on Sunday versus the Colts, Cleveland held a 27-21 lead going into the second half. The Browns were outscored 17-12 from there but held on for the win 39-38. QB Phillip Walker managed a tepid 178 yards and an interception, but Jerome Ford (74 yards; TD) and Kareem Hunt (31 yards; two TDs) did most of the work on the ground. 

Cleveland Browns Team Facts

• The Browns have lost each of their last eight games following a road win.
• The Browns have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• The favorites have won the first half in 11 of the Browns’ last 12 games.
• The Browns have lost the first quarter in each of their last eight October road games against NFC opponents.
• Each of the Browns’ last four games against NFC West opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Seattle Seahawks 

Over on the Seahawks’ side, they’ve managed to put together a solid 4-1 run over their last five games but they’re not scoring spectacularly this season either. Seattle is averaging 24.0 points per game, but that number is weighted by a pair of 37-point performances in games two and three. Seattle is giving up fewer than 20 points per game as well (19.7), so in many ways they’re statistically similar to the Browns so far. 

Seattle matched up against Arizona in their last appearance. The Seahawks came out of the break with a 14-10 lead and kicked a couple of field goals from there in a 20-10 win. Geno Smith threw for 219 yards, two scores and a pick. Kenneth Walker added 105 rushing yards and Jaxon Smith-Njigba was tops in receiving on 63 yards and a TD. Jake Bobo added 61 yards and a score of his own as well. 

Seattle Seahawks Team Facts

• The Seahawks have won each of their last five Sunday games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Seahawks have covered the spread in each of their last five home games in October.
• The Seahawks have lost the first quarter in each of their last two games as favorites against AFC North opponents.
• The Seahawks have won the first half in eight of their last nine games in October.
• The Seahawks have scored the first touchdown in each of their last six home games against AFC opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Seahawks rank T1st in the NFL in Q3 win percentage this season (83.3).
• The Seahawks rank 2nd in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game this season (41.2).
• The Browns rank 1st in the NFL in yards allowed per game this season (243.0).
• The Browns rank 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game this season (149.2).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably go with the Seahawks in this one. I’m probably also staying away. Seattle’s latest win wasn’t the prettiest, as the team went cold offensively after the break and posted three turnovers along the way. The defense held strong against a struggling Arizona team though, giving up just 249 total yards (122 passing). The Seahawks haven’t scored more than 24 points in any of the last three games, but they’ve also kept opponents at 17 points or below in that time as well. 

As for the Browns, they’re still trying to figure out their quarterback situation, which is never a good sign. Deshaun Watson has been fighting off injury this season and hasn’t been great when he’s in there. No backups have been able to provide a spark either. Defensively the team faltered against the Colts, but they’d held opponents to 17 points or fewer in each of the previous three. Cleveland and Seattle should match up pretty well together; I like this one to be a low-scoring, defensive battle and a close Seahawks cover. It’ll be a fun watch if nothing else.