Week 10 NFL Picks And Predictions

It appeared that the Cleveland Browns were relatively unfazed by the recent ending of the Odell Beckham Jr. saga, as the team dominated the Cincinnati Bengals last week for a much needed AFC North victory.

The team now looks to maintain its momentum as they head to Foxborough for a Sunday dance with the New England Patriots, a squad that has gone 4-1 over their last 5 games.

Current NFL odds are giving the home team the nod, with most betting sites offering New England at -2.5. The game’s total sits at 45.5 points, with moneyline bettors finding the Patriots available around -135 and the Browns at +120.

The Browns-Pats point spread has shown little movement since first hitting the boards, but a late move could be seen once Cleveland reveals the game time status of running back Nick Chubb, who currently finds himself sidelined with a positive COVID-19 test. The total is up slightly from the 44.5 where it opened, and bettors should also expect some reactionary moves as the Browns’ lineup is set.

Nick Chubb’s status isn’t the only worry facing the Browns’ running attack, as fellow RBs John Kelly and Demetric Felton also tested positive earlier in the week, forcing the team to dig deep into the practice squad for answers. Kareem Hunt is also unavailable thanks to a calf strain sustained in Week 6. Early reports had projected that the star RB would miss three weeks of action with an expected return for this Week 10 matchup. That timeline has now been extended, with many thinking that Hunt will not see his number called until after the Browns’ Week 13 bye.

Fortunately, depth in the position is not a concern for the top ranked rushing team in the league. Backup RB D’Ernest Johnson will once again fill in, and his Week 7 performance against Denver proved that he is more than capable, posting 146 yards on 22 carries.

While the Cleveland running game is still expected to move the sticks, the passing game has also shown signs of promise without OBJ on the field. There has been speculation that Beckham Jr.’s presence has actually hindered QB Baker Mayfield’s ability to further develop his passing game, as the veteran receiver is regularly vocal in regards his level of involvement in the offense.

Since signing OBJ, Cleveland is 14-15 with him in action and 8-4 without him. The team’s points per game average and third down conversion rates are all stronger in his absence as well.

Last week’s performance against the Bengals further showcased the team’s ability to flourish without the added weight of OBJ, with the offense posting 35 points on the day.

The Patriots are not without their own injuries, as Week 9 concussions have sidelined running backs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. Brandon Bolden is next on the depth charts to take over RB duties for the Patriots, and the backup has tallied a total of 108 yards in limited action this season.

Bill Belichick will most likely be forced to rely on his defensive unit to slow the game and keep it within reach, with his game plan focused on shutting down the Browns’ ground attack. This approach will force Mayfield to look downfield and further establish an air attack without the concerns of targeting OBJ to keep him engaged.

The Browns are the stronger team here, and last week’s performance should give them a boost of confidence against a Patriots’ defense that hasn’t performed as well as their league standings might suggest.

Grab Cleveland with the +2.5 points here, and this prediction becomes just that more likely should Chubb be cleared for action come game time.

Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots Odds Via BetOnline

POINT SPREAD

• Browns +2.5
• Patriots -2.5

TOTAL

MONEYLINE

• Browns +115
• Patriots -135