Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Sept. 23, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Justin Fields will make his first NFL start this Sunday. Andy Dalton suffered a bone bruise in his knee last week against Cincinnati, and he won’t be available against the Cleveland Browns this week. Fields didn’t do much in Chicago’s win over the Bengals last week, but the Bears’ first-round pick will need to play much better if he is going to pick up his first win as a pro.

Score Prediction: Cleveland 20, Chicago 16

Best Bet: Under 44.5

Best Bet: Chicago +7.5

Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions

The Chicago Bears are quite familiar with Kevin Stefanski’s offense. Stefanski spent 14 years as an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings, so the Bears know all about his run-heavy system with a lot of play action. That could lead to a frustrating afternoon for the 2020 NFL Coach of the Year.

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Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Odds

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Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Resources

• Matchup: NFC North vs. AFC North
• Date: Sunday, September 26, 2021
• Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium
• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Line Movements
• Betting Trend Movements
• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Chicago Bears Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 1-1
• ATS: 1-1
• O/U: 1-1
• ATS - Home: 1-0
• ATS - Away: 0-1

Baker Mayfield has very impressive base stats this season. He is completing 81.6% of his passes and averaging 10.9 YPA. However, Mayfield has also tossed an interception in each game as he continues to force throws at times. Mayfield might have his favorite target back for this game though as the Browns are optimistic that Odell Beckham, Jr. can make his return on Sunday.

Cleveland’s offense is predicated on its ground game. The Browns have one of the best one-two punches at running back with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt leading the way. They are averaging 5.2 YPC as a team, ranking among the NFL’s best in that category.

Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 1-1
• ATS: 1-1
• O/U: 2-0
• ATS - Home: 0-1
• ATS - Away: 1-0

Fields left a lot to be desired in his first start. He completed just 6 of 13 passes for 60 yards with an interception against the Bengals last week, but he did ice the game with a 10-yard run on third-and-nine. The rookie does have some nice receiving options as fellow rookie Cole Kmet is a nice security blanket, and Allen Robinson II remains one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL. This ground game has been more effective than we have seen in previous years for the first two weeks of the 2021 season. David Montgomery is averaging 4.7 YPC, and Fields can make defenders miss in the open field too.

The Chicago Bears have gone OVER the point total in four of its last five road games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Chicago Bears

• Record: 1-1
• Division Standing: 1st - NFC North
• Points Scored: 34
• Points Allowed: 51
• PS/G: 17 (28th)
• PA/G: 25.5 (18th)

Inside the Stats - Cleveland Browns

• Record: 1-1
• Division Standing: 1st - AFC East
• Points Scored: 51
• Points Allowed: 23
• PS/G: 25.5 (12th)
• PA/G: 11.5 (2nd)

Key Players to Watch

• CHI: David Montgomery - WR (36 carries, 169 yards, TD)
• CHI: Terry McLaurin - WR (15 catches, 169 yards, TD)
• CLE: Josh Allen - QB (47/84, 449 yards, 3 TD, INT)
• CLE: Roquan Smith - LB (20 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 TD)

Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Conclusion

Chicago has a defense that can put the clamps on this offense. The Bears have a front seven that can stop the Browns’ formidable ground game as linebackers Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith are two of the best in the league. Fields won’t do enough to pull off the upset, but Chicago can stay within the number.

Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Trends

• Cleveland has won four straight home games when playing on a Sunday.
• Chicago has gone OVER the point total in four of its last five road games.
• Cleveland has seen the underdog cover the spread in six straight games.
• Cleveland has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six home games.
• Cleveland has gone OVER the point total in six of its last nine home games.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

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