Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Oct. 21, 2021

Michael Crosson
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The seventh week of regular-season NFL action will kick things off with a prime-time AFC showdown – as the Cleveland Browns are set to host the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Coverage begins at 8:20 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

Score Prediction

Browns 27, Broncos 20

Best Bets

Browns -3

Over

Teddy Bridgewater (DEN/QB) Over 0.5 INT

Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions

Cleveland boasted a somewhat underwhelming 3-2 tally prior to last week’s matchup, but the oddsmakers’ faith in the Browns remained steady throughout the days leading up to the weekend – considering Baker Mayfield and company entered their previous affair as narrow home favorites over the undefeated Cardinals.

The Browns’ latest bout against Arizona was plagued with unfortunate circumstances though, as Cleveland went to the halftime break trailing 23-17 – and then Mayfield and Kareem Hunt exited with injuries, which led to a downhill spiral from there (L, 37-14).

On the other hand, Denver kicked things off on an excellent note with its brand-new signal-caller under center– as Teddy Bridgewater helped lift the Broncos to a trio of imposing victories over the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets across his first three appearances with his new team (+50).

Since Denver’s impressive opening stretch of wins though, things have completely fallen apart at the seams, considering the Broncos were favored in each of their last three matchups against the Ravens, Steelers, and Raiders – and they lost all three contests in relatively ugly fashion (-34).

I’ll lay the points with the Browns here, as Denver’s offensive attack has generated just 16.7 PPG across its last three games – and scoring points likely won’t get any easier in Cleveland on Thursday night.

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Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Odds

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The Browns enter Thursday night’s bout favored by roughly a field goal over the visiting Broncos, which surprisingly marks the first time Denver has been an underdog this season.

The total for Thursday’s affair is stationed just north of OU 42 at most shops – marking the lowest bar set for a Browns’ game so far this year.

Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Resources

• Matchup: AFC West vs. AFC North
• Date: Thursday, October 21, 2021
• Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium
• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• TV-Time: FOX/NFLN - 8:20 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Denver Broncos Betting Analysis

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

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

After finishing with the worst record in the AFC West last year (5-11), the Broncos made a fascinating decision to acquire Bridgewater from Carolina this past offseason – and it worked flawlessly to start, as Denver dominated the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets to kick off the new season.

Denver’s initial success was incredibly short-lived though, as the Broncos finally drew a few tougher matchups across Weeks 4 through 6 – which resulted in relatively non-competitive losses in each of their latest three affairs.

I wouldn’t totally write off Denver just yet, as the Broncos’ offense is clearly much better with Bridgewater at the helm, and their defense is still solid – but backing them as short road underdogs against upper-tier AFC squads like Cleveland is likely a losing wish.

Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis

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

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

Despite kicking things off with a pedestrian 3-2 record, the Browns opening stretch of performances was still rather encouraging, as Cleveland posted decisive victories over the Texans, Vikings, and Chiefs (+37) – and lost a pair of highly competitive matchups against the Chiefs and Chargers (-9) across the first five weeks of the new season.

The Browns’ latest loss to Arizona was far less inspiring though, as Cleveland finished last Sunday’s contest without Mayfield, Hunt, and Nick Chubb due to their respective injury issues.

If Mayfield is indeed healthy enough to play on Thursday night, Cleveland -3 stands as an incredibly enticing offer for bettors – but if not, money is probably best spent on the total in this matchup.

The Cleveland Browns have lost three of their last four games when facing the Denver Broncos. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Denver Broncos

• Record: 3-3
• Division Standing: 3rd - AFC West
• Points Scored: 126
• Points Allowed: 110
• PS/G: 21 (22nd)
• PA/G: 18.3 (4th)

Inside the Stats - Cleveland Browns

• Record: 3-3
• Division Standing: 3rd - AFC North
• Points Scored: 156
• Points Allowed: 151
• PS/G: 26 (9th)
• PA/G: 25.2 (22nd)

Key Players to Watch

• DEN: Teddy Bridgewater - QB (139/198, 1,514 yards, 10 TD, 4 INT)
• DEN: Courtland Sutton - WR (33 catches, 471 yards, 2 TD)
• CLE: Baker Mayfield - QB (116/173, 1,474 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT)
• CLE: Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR (13 catches, 228 yards, 2 TD)

Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Conclusion

After getting blown out at home by Arizona last week (L, 37-14), the Browns will receive an immediate opportunity to bounce back on a short week as Cleveland gets set to host the ailing Broncos on Thursday night – marking the first time Denver has been an underdog all season.

I’ll lay the points with Cleveland here, as the Browns’ ugly loss to Arizona this past Sunday appeared to stem from some brief, unfortunate injury circumstances – but despite the nagging injuries to their offense, I still expect Cleveland’s D to make things happen at home on Thursday night, which is why I’m also backing Bridgewater to throw an interception at even odds.

Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Trends

• Cleveland failed to cover the spread in seven straight games when facing the AFC as the favorite.
• Denver has lost four of its last five road games when facing the AFC.
• Cleveland has gone UNDER the point total in five of its last six games when playing on a Thursday.
• The point total has gone OVER in three of the last four games played between both teams.

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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