Browns Colts Spread

Written by Jack Jones

Both the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts are coming off disappointing losses in their openers. Each will be looking to avoid dropping to 0-2 on the season Sunday when they meet up in Indy for an AFC showdown at 1:00 EST. The Colts clearly miss Peyton Manning, while the Browns appear to be stuck in rebuilding mode.

According to the NFL odds for Week 2, I find that the Browns are 2.5-point road favorites with a total set of 38 points.

Indianapolis

The Colts could get nothing going offensively against the Houston Texans in a game that was even more lopsided than the final score would indicate. Indy was held scoreless through the first three quarters, and got a garbage time touchdown in the fourth to lose 34-7. They were outgained 384-236 and Houston held a 26-15 edge in first downs. The Texans even committed three turnovers and the Colts could not take advantage.

Kerry Collins was not sharp in his debut in place of the injured Manning. He completed just 16 of 31 for 197 yards and a touchdown. On the bright side, he took care of the football and did not throw an interceptions. Reggie Wayne managed a solid day receiving, catching seven balls for 106 yards and a score. Joseph Addai was held to 39 yards on eight carries in the running game. Indy’s defense allowed 259 yards and 19 first downs in the first half before the Texans took the foot off the gas in the second.

Cleveland

The Browns did not get off to the start they were hoping for in new head coach Pat Shurmur’s debut. They quickly fell behind 13-0 early in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals. Give them credit because Cleveland fought back to take a 17-13 lead before it all fell apart in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati scored on a wide open 41-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green with just over four minutes left, then sealed it on a Cedric Benson 39-yard touchdown run with under two minutes remain. Cleveland would lose by a 27-17 final.

Colt McCoy had an excellent preseason and looked poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. But it wasn’t to be Sunday as he finished just 19 of 40 passing for 213 yards and two touchdowns with on interception. Peyton Hillis was held in check, rushing 17 times for 57 yards without finding the end zone. Second-year pro Mohammad Massaquoi led all Cleveland receivers with three catches for 77 yards, and tight end Ben Watson hauled in three passes for 45 yards and a score.

Betting Trends

This will be the first meeting between these teams since 2008. Indianapolis won in Cleveland by a final of 10-6 that year with Peyton Manning having an off day. Manning threw for just 125 yards with a couple of interceptions. Indy has won all five meetings with Cleveland since 1999, though all five games were decided by a touchdown or less.

The Browns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite of 0.5-3.0. Cleveland is just 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite, though. The Colts are a superb 13-2-1 ATS in their last 16 games as an underdog of 0.5-3.0. But Indy has gone a winless 0-6 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

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