Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Oct. 10, 2021

Joe Williams
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Cleveland Browns (3-1) travel to meet the Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) in an AFC showdown in the late window Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., and the game can be viewed on CBS.

Score Prediction: Chargers 27, Browns 20

Best Bet: Chargers ML

Best Bet: Chargers -2.5

Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Predictions

Browns QB Baker Mayfield and the offense certainly didn’t look very good last weekend in Minnesota, but the offense was able to grind out a 14-7 win, with a huge assist to the defense. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has this team in position to win games even when they’re not at their best.

The Chargers were able to best the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, and now they have another huge showdown game and they have a short week to prepare. While they have had one less day to rest their bumps and bruises, they also are back home for a second straight weekend, while Cleveland had to travel home from the Twin Cities, practice, and then travel across three time zones to the west coast. All of that travel will take a toll, and you can expect the Browns to be sluggish.

Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Odds

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Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Resources

• Matchup: AFC North vs. AFC SoWestuth
• Date: Sunday, October 10, 2021
• Venue: SoFi Stadium
• Location: Inglewood, California
• TV-Time: CBS - 4:05 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 3-1
• ATS: 3-1
• O/U: 2-2
• ATS - Home: 1-1
• ATS - Away: 2-0

As mentioned above, the Browns didn’t play their best game of the season, but still grinded out a seven-point win on the road against a contender in the NFC North Division. They completely discouraged QB Kirk Cousins, they shut down the rushing attack, led by RB Dalvin Cook, and managed to hold stud WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen mostly in check.

The Browns entered as minor favorites on the road, covering for the second straight game, while improving to 3-1 ATS. While the offense of Cleveland gets a lot of the headlines, it’s the defense which has been showing out lately. After allowing 33 points in Kansas City, and a surprising 21 points allowed to a poor Houston side in Week 2, the Brownies have allowed just 6.5 PPG across the past two outings. As such, it’s no surprise the UNDER has hit in each game.

Cleveland has covered four in a row on the road, including both games this season, and they’re 4-0 ATS in the previous four as a road ‘dog, too. As far as the total, the OVER is 4-1 in the past five as a ‘dog, and 5-1 in the previous six against winning sides.

Los Angeles Chargers Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 3-1
• ATS: 3-1
• O/U: 0-4
• ATS - Home: 1-1
• ATS - Away: 2-0

The Bolts looked sharp taking care of business in front of a national audience, showing no signs of a letdown after a surprise win in Kansas City the previous week. This team is rolling, although their only loss came in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, 20-17. Los Angeles has posted a 3-1 SU/ATS record, and the UNDER is a perfect 4-0 to date.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Chargers have registered 391.0 total yards per game to rank 11th in the NFL, and they rank sixth in the league with 283.5 passing yards per outing. QB Justin Herbert has been the real deal, as he is building on a tremendous rookie campaign last season, growing into a star. The Chargers are middle of the road in offense, posting 23.8 PPG to rank 14th.

Defensively is where it’s at for the Chargers, allowing just 332.0 total yards per game to rank ninth in the league. They’re also fifth against the pass, yielding just 192.5 yards through the air. If they have an Achilles’ heel, it’s against the run, as they cough up 139.5 yards per game to rank 29th. That’s bad news against a Cleveland side which runs the ball well.

The Los Angeles Chargers have gone UNDER the point total in five of their last six games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Cleveland Browns

• Record: 3-1
• Division Standing: 1st - AFC North
• Points Scored: 100
• Points Allowed: 67
• PS/G: 25 (11th)
• PA/G: 26.8 (4th)

Inside the Stats - Los Angeles Chargers

• Record: 3-1
• Division Standing: 1st - AFC West
• Points Scored: 95
• Points Allowed: 74
• PS/G: 23.8 (14th)
• PA/G: 18.5 (7th)

Key Players to Watch

• CLE: Baker Mayfield - QB (74/113, 935 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT)
• CLE: Nick Chubb - RB (69 carries, 362 yards, 3 TD)
• LAC: Justin Herbert - QB (113/164, 1,178 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT)
• LAC: Mike Williams - WR (23 catches, 306 yards, 4 TD)

Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Conclusion

The struggles of the Chargers against the run is a bit of a concern, and it could rear its ugly head here. If this game were outside in the elements in Northeast Ohio, I’d likely pick the Browns to win and cover. However, I am more concerned about all of the travel for the Browns, going from the Twin Cities to Cleveland, then across the country again. They’re taking on two physical defenses in two weeks, and that will take a toll on them.

Injuries could also hold Cleveland back. DE Jadeveon Clowney didn’t practice Wednesday due to an elbow injury suffered in Minnesota, and is a question mark. CB Greg Newsome II (calf) and CB Denzel Ward (neck) are also nicked, which is a concern on the back end for the Browns D.

Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Trends

• Cleveland has lost eight of its last nine games when facing the AFC West.
• Los Angeles has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games.
• Los Angeles has gone UNDER the point total in five straight home games.

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• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
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