The Buffalo Bills (6-2) will travel to First Energy Stadium to face off against the Cleveland Browns (2-6) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
The Browns are three point favorites in a game where the total opened at 41 ½ points and is quickly falling. The total is already as low as 39 ½ at some sportsbooks. These teams last met in 2018 when the Bills defeated the Browns by a score of 19-17.
The numbers
Against the spread, the Bills are doing well with a record of 5-3. You might call the Bills the darling of the NFL this year as very few people expected them to be 6-2 after their first eight games. The total has a record of twice over and six times under which is a tribute to the strong defense Buffalo plays. They rank third in the NFL in total defense.
The Browns have been abysmal against the spread at 2-6. This could be a result of the early season hype they received due to additions like Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry.
Indeed, the Browns were among the favorites in Super Bowl betting this year. Now, their chances of even making the playoffs are on life support. The total is dead even in Browns games this year at 4-4.
Both teams rank in the bottom half of the NFL in total offense with the Browns checking in at 19th best and the Bills at 23rd. The Bills face off against a Browns defense that two weeks ago was able to sack Tom Brady three times. If they can get to Brady three times then you better believe they will put Josh Allen on his ass at least a couple times in this game.
If the Browns offense breaks through then they could win this game and make it look easy, too. Therefore, the onus is going to be on Allen and the Bills offense to take some of the pressure off the Bills elite defense.
Return of Kareem Hunt
The Browns could get a boost, which they will need to stay in this game, from the return of Kareem Hunt. The scandalous former Kansas City Chiefs player led the NFL in rushing as a rookie before legal troubles led to him being cut by the Chiefs and then signed by the Browns in February of this year.
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens was quoted in the media saying that Hunt will definitely be used this week and is #2 in the depth chart behind the sensational Nick Chubb.
Together, they form a fearsome duo that will smash through opposing defensive lines to gain big chunks of yardage. The Browns running game was already good, but if Chubb and Hunt are both playing well that means teammate Baker Mayfield will be opened up to do what he does best and throw the ball down the field.
There are so many superstars on the Browns offense that it is hard to believe they have only won two games this year. The return of Hunt could be what puts them over the top.
Our Pick – Bills +3 and Under 40