Despite Jameis Winston and the Browns taking down the Ravens last week, Cleveland is an underdog against the Chargers in Week 9, at FanDuel.
The Chargers are 1.5-point favorites over the Browns, sitting at -122 on the moneyline. I'll break down why I'm fading Jameis and taking the Chargers in this contest below:
Chargers vs Browns Odds Week 9
As of October 29th at FanDuel
As of Tuesday, FanDuel has the clear best line here for Chargers bettors (-1.5). But, if you want to bet on the Browns, check out BetMGM, with more favorable Cleveland lines.
Chargers vs Browns Picks Week 9
Chargers -1.5 (-110)
Jameis and the Browns managed to squeeze out a win against the Ravens in Week 8, but I don't think we should put too much into that win. For starters, Baltimore had about 15 drops in that game (both for touchdowns and key interceptions). But, the Ravens also had their top two corners hurt (and were already the league's worst passing defense), which allowed for Jameis to throw for 334 yards and three scores.
That's not going to be the case this week, against a Chargers defense that has allowed under 200 passing yards per game. Los Angeles is going to prevent Jameis from turning this game into a shootout, and do what they've done all year — play Jim Harbaugh football.
The Chargers have held opponents to 20 or fewer points in six straight weeks, allowing just eight to New Orleans last week. The Browns, on the other hand, have allowed 20 or more points in six straight weeks. That's not a great trend for a Cleveland win.
Chargers vs Browns Prop Pick
Nick Chubb UNDER 59.5 Rushing Yards (-120)
It's pretty clear Nick Chubb is still not back to peak form, after tearing everything in his knee last year. The Browns running back has played two games this season, rushing for 74 yards on 27 carries (just 2.74 yards per carry). He hasn't broken 60 yards in a game yet this season.
I don't expect Chubb to magically get back to full strength this week, especially against LA's defense. The Chargers have allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards in the league so far this season (and just two RB touchdowns). LA has let up an average of just 84 total RB yards per contest.
With Jerome Ford still poaching carries, I'd expect a modest day from Chubb.
Chargers vs Browns Betting Trends
- The UNDER has hit in 12 of the Chargers' last 13 games as favorites
- The Chargers are 2-4 against the spread in their last six on the road
- Browns WR Cedric Tillman has just one touchdown in his last 19 games (UNDER 0.5 Tillman touchdowns is -480 at Bet365)
These betting trends are courtesy of Outlier's NFL Insights: