Browns vs. Giants Week 15 Predictions, Odds, Preview

Browns-Giants Video Picks

  • December 18, 2020
  • By Matt Blunt
  • VegasInsider.com

It was a wild finish for the Browns last week, as their tremendous comeback ended up happening with a few too many seconds on the clock, something the Browns could have manipulated better themselves.

But the safety on the “everybody lateral” play at the end of the game to turn a push into a loser against the number was excruciating to see whether you had some of the game at that point or did not.

Cleveland fans get to go back at it in prime time again this week though, this time as the road team in New York taking on a 5-8 SU Giants team that's right in the thick of a playoff race.

But New York will also be without their starting QB here, as former third round Cleveland draft pick QB Colt McCoy should get the nod, with former Browns HC Freddie Kitchens calling the plays as a sub-in offensive co-ordinator with Jason Garrett out on the illness list.

Very interesting timing to say the least, as some Browns of yesteryear could really help facilitate another downward spiral for Cleveland's organization in 2020. Or did Cleveland gain so much credibility in the market off that “good” loss to Baltimore that the overall talent disparity on the field will see the Browns cruise to an easy victory here?

It seems like that's been the early approach all week already.

Browns vs. Giants - Predictions

  • Score Prediction: Browns 31 Giants 24
  • Best Bet: Over 44.5

Betting Resources


Kareem Hunt and the Browns travel to MetLife Stadium as favorites to face the Giants. (AP)

Browns-Giants Betting Odds

Line Movements

  • Spread: Browns -6
  • Money-Line: Cleveland -270, N.Y. Giants +230
  • Total: 44.5
  • Odds Subject to Change

    2020 Betting Stats

    (Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under - O/U)

    Cleveland

    • Overall: 9-4 SU, 5-8 ATS, 8-5 O/U
    • Road: 4-2 SU, 2-4 ATS, 4-2 O/U
    • Offense PPG: 26.8 (Rank 13)
    • Defense PPG: 28.3 (Rank 27)
    • Offense YPG: 374.2 (Rank 12)
    • Defense YPG: 363.1 (Rank 19)

    N.Y. Giants

    • Overall: 5-8 SU, 8-5 ATS, 3-10 O/U
    • Home: 2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS, 2-4 O/U
    • Offense PPG: 18.3 (Rank 31)
    • Defense PPG: 22.4 (Rank 9)
    • Offense YPG: 300.1 (Rank 31)
    • Defense YPG: 342.9 (Rank 10)

    Over vs. Under
    Handicapping the Total

    With Cleveland scoring 40+ themselves two weeks in a row now, any total was going to get some 'over' pressure early on this week, especially one in the 40's. The Browns still only have a 1-1 SU record in those two games though, giving up an average of 41/game at the same time. This is an alarming trend for a defense who's got plenty of statistical help this year from playing in awful weather conditions that were highly beneficial to defensive football.

    The fact that both the reserve QB and reserve playcaller for the Giants have Cleveland ties makes the desire to stick it to their former club in any way they can a little more likely. Might not matter what they try given that pretty much everything has worked against this Browns defense the past two weeks.

    I think you've got to trust the Giants to at least put a few scoring drives together in this matchup, 'over' bettors just have to make sure the majority of them are touchdowns.

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    Any 'under' look can't be excited to watch when Cleveland has the ball with the way they've been moving it, and conceptually the fact that they've put up at least 40 in two straight weeks and this total is not even close to a touchdown higher, if the 'under' happens I think you've just got to let it happen.

    Can only look at the 'over' with that being the case, because any kind of sub-par game from Cleveland on either side of the ball still likely gives us a chance to hit a late score.

    A Giants 'under' run of five in a row and seven of their last eight has QB's of Alex Smith, Carson Wentz, Brandon Allen, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray in those last five, with Wilson the only one that's credible enough to be thankful you shutdown.

    Murray did his part for 'over' bettors last week against the Giants, scoring 26, but how confident can you be in Cleveland's defense keeping the score relatively low? You take away those awful weather games and the Browns had allowed 47, 35, 25, 34, and 38 points since the middle of October. That's not good.

    In the end, it looks a lot like a low number that could end up cashing a lot of 'over' outcomes almost by accident, and in today's NFL that's generally the side you want to be on with the rules so favorable to offenses.

    Head-to-Head History

    • Nov. 27, 2016 - N.Y. Giants 27 at Cleveland 13, Giants -6.5, Under 46.5
    • Oct. 7, 2012 - N.Y. Giants 41 vs. Cleveland 27, Giants -7.5, Over 44

    Browns vs. Giants
    Handicapping the Side

    Fading those teams off a 40+ outing worked rather well in Week 14 with a 2-0 ATS record, and this week we've got Indianapolis, Seattle, Baltimore, and this Cleveland Browns team in that role (again).

    How Cleveland lost against the number was wild, and crushing losses like that can really turn the direction of a season. Facing a weak, non-conference opponent could be the right opponent for Cleveland to bounce back, but fading them is the preferred line to take in general.

    I'm just not sure it's enough points to be taking with the Giants, even if Kitchens and McCoy have a trick or two up their sleeves. It was a big jump Cleveland's way out of the gate which makes some buy back possible, but even at +6 it's tough to be comfortable holding a Giants ticket.

    Again, Cleveland's defense could let them through the back door, but if that's your best hope in most cases, passing is probably the better idea. Cleveland better be able to find a way to win this week and next week during their two weeks in New Jersey, and betting into a bad number with them right now doesn't make tremendous sense either.

    Even if it still may be a little short. If the Browns win in that fashion I think you've just got to let it happen too. The Cleveland boat left before their MNF game was even finished.

    Key Injuries

    Cleveland

    • OT Jedrick Wills Jr.: Ankle - Probable
    • DB Denzel Ward: Calf - Probable
    • TE David Njoku: Knee - Questionable
    • CB Kevin Johnson: Groin - Questionable
    • TE Austin Hooper: Neck - Questionable
    • WR KhaDarel Hodge: Hamstring - Questionable
    • G Wyatt Teller: Ankle - Out
    • S Andrew Sendejo: Concussion - Out

    N.Y. Giants

    • QB Colt McCoy: None - Probable
    • RB Devonta Freeman: Ankle - Probable
    • TE Evan Engram: Calf - Probable
    • QB Daniel Jones: Leg - Doubtful
    • G Kevin Zeitler: Shoulder - Questionable
    • TE Kaden Smith: Knee - Questionable
    • CB James Bradberry: COVID-19 - Out
    • CB Darnay Holmes: Knee - Out

    2020 Sunday Night Football (SNF) Betting Results

    Betting Results

    Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS)

    • Home-Away: 10-4 SU, 9-5 ATS
    • Favorites-Underdogs: 7-7 SU, 4-10 ATS
    • Over-Under: 5-9
    2020 Sunday Night Football Betting Results
    Week Matchup Line/Total Score ATS-Total
    1 Dallas at L.A. Rams Pick 'em, 51 20-17 Underdog-Under
    2 New England at Seattle Seahawks -4.5, 45 35-30 Favorite-Over
    3 Green Bay at New Orleans Saints -3, 52 37-30 Underdog-Over
    4 Philadelphia at San Francisco 49ers -8, 45.5 25-20 Underdog-Under
    5 Minnesota at Seattle Seahawks -5.5, 54 27-26 Underdog-Under
    6 L.A. Rams at San Francisco 49ers +2.5, 51.5 24-16 Underdog-Under
    7 Seattle at Arizona Seahawks -3.5, 55.5 37-34 (OT) Underdog-Over
    8 Dallas at Philadelphia Eagles -10, 43.5 23-9 Favorite-Under
    9 New Orleans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3.5, 51.5 38-3 Underdog-Under
    10 Baltimore at New England Patriots +7, 44 23-17 Underdog-Under
    11 Kansas City at Las Vegas Chiefs -8, 56.5 35-31 Underdog-Over
    12 Chicago at Green Bay Packers -8, 44 41-25 Favorite-Over
    13 Denver at Kansas City Chiefs -13, 51.5 22-16 Underdog-Under
    14 Pittsburgh at Buffalo Bills -2.5, 48.5 26-15 Favorite-Under
    15 San Francisco at Dallas - - -
    16 Tennessee at Green Bay - - -
    17 TBA vs. TBA - - -

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