LA Rams (2-0) at Cleveland (1-1)
When: Sunday, September 22, 2019
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium,
Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: NBC
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -2/50.5
The Cleveland Browns are not accustomed to playing prime time games, but this will be their second of four this season when they host the Los Angeles Rams on NBC’s Sunday Night Football in Week 3. Cleveland came into the season with very high expectations but laid an egg in a 43-13 loss at home to the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, but came back strong with an easy victory over the New York Jets last Monday night. The Browns, who will make trips to Baltimore, San Francisco and New England over the next five games, expected the offense to be explosive with quarterback Baker Mayfield playmaker Odell Beckham Jr., but the team is leaving plays on the field while averaging just 18 points in two games. The Rams are off to a 2-0 start after getting by Carolina in Week 1 and then blowing out the New Orleans Saints at home last week, while also knocking out future Hall-of-Famer Drew Brees (thumb) for about six weeks. When the teams last played in 2015, both Mayfield and Rams’ QB Jared Goff were still in college and the Rams and Browns were lousy. The Rams were still in St. Louis and won 24-6 at home behind 128 yards rushing and two touchdowns from then-rookie Todd Gurley. The Rams are 4-1 ATS in the past five in this series and have covered the spread in both games this season.
Goff threw for 283 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score in last week’s 27-9 triumph over the Saints, but the team lost both right guard Austin Blythe (ankle) and tight end Tyler Higbee (chest) to injuries and are questionable for Sunday night. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who went down in Week 10 with a knee injury last season, is leading the team with 12 receptions for 166 yards. Gurley is averaging 5.3 yards per carry through two weeks but has just four catches out of the backfield after hauling in 59 last season. The defense ranks in the top 10 in both rush and pass defense, allowing less than 300 yards a game total.
Cleveland was a little fortunate in their 23-3 win Monday night as the Jets were without starting QB Sam Darnold due to mono and then lost backup Trevor Siemian in the first half with an ankle injury. Cleveland would allow just 262 yards and many of those in garbage time, while Mayfield guided the offense with 325 yards, including an 89-yard catch-and-run TD to Beckham. Running back Nick Chubb has totaled 137 yards in the first two games, while Myles Garrett led the defense last week with three sacks.
Cleveland was embarrassed at home in Week 1 by taking the Titans too lightly. That won’t happen this time around in prime time against a Rams team that doesn’t play well outside their division – 4-10 ATS in the last 14 opportunities. This is a big stage for the Browns and I think they come through with an outright win.
Pick: Browns +3 (More Week 3 Free Picks)
Rams are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Rams are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
Rams are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Rams are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
Rams are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Rams are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Rams are 6-16-1 ATS in their last 23 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Rams are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games in Week 3.
Rams are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Browns are 9-21 ATS in their last 30 home games.
Browns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Browns are 11-28-1 ATS in their last 40 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Browns are 7-18-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Browns are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Browns are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Browns are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Browns are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
Browns are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Rams last 7 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Rams last 5 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Rams last 5 games in Week 3.
Over is 5-2 in Rams last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
Over is 7-3 in Rams last 10 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Over is 7-3 in Rams last 10 games in September.
Over is 9-4 in Rams last 13 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 3-0-1 in Browns last 4 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Browns last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 5-1 in Browns last 6 games in Week 3.
Under is 4-1 in Browns last 5 games when playing on Sunday following a Monday night game.
Over is 6-2-1 in Browns last 9 games following a straight up win.
Under is 3-1-1 in Browns last 5 games on grass.
Over is 6-2 in Browns last 8 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Browns last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
Under is 15-6-1 in Browns last 22 home games.
Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
