Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions, Odds, Picks

Dec. 20, 2021
Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Las Vegas Raiders (6-7) travel to FirstEnergy Stadium to meet the Cleveland Browns (7-6) for a Week 15 matchup on Monday. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on NFL Network.

Score Prediction

Browns 19, Raiders 16

Best Bets

Under 38.5 (-110) at PointsBet

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions

The Raiders were humbled 48-9 on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend, and it's likely that this team will never dance on the team's midfield logo before an away game ever again. That lack of respect seemed to fuel the Chiefs from the jump, and the Silver and Black were never in the game. That's two straight losses and non-covers for the Raiders, and they're now 1-5 SU/ATS across the past six games.

The Browns picked up an important 24-22 victory last week against the Baltimore Ravens. That, coupled with a loss by everybody else in the AFC North, propelled the Browns into second place in the division, one game back of said Ravens. However, the Browns have been dealing with some COVID-19 positive tests, throwing a monkey wrench into the team's plans for Saturday.

QB Baker Mayfield and head coach Kevin Stefanski tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, joining a long list of starters and key personnel on the list. TEs Austin Hooper and David Njoku are on the list, as are offensive linemen Wyatt Teller and Jedrick Wills, while WR Jarvis Landry has also come up with a positive test, in addition to DBs Troy Hill and John Johnson III.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had said there are no plans to reschedule the game, but he had a change of heart as this game, along with the Washington-Philadelphia and L.A. Rams-Seattle games were all rescheduled due to COVID issues.

The good news is that RB Nick Chubb already had COVID several weeks ago, and he is in the backfield and ready to go on Monday. Expect a ground-based attack with plenty of Chubb.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Odds

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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Resources

  • Matchup: AFC West vs. AFC North
  • Date: Monday, December 20, 2021
  • Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium
  • Location: Cleveland, Ohio
  • TV-Time: NFLN - 5:00 p.m. ET

Las Vegas Raiders Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 6-7
  • ATS: 5-8
  • O/U: 7-6
  • ATS - Home: 2-5
  • ATS - Away: 3-3

The Raiders were drummed by 39 points in Kansas City last week, failing to cover for the second straight outing, and fifth time in the past six games. The good news is that the Raiders are facing an AFC North team. They opened the season 2-0 SU/ATS in Weeks 1-2 with wins at home over the Baltimore Ravens, and on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, Jon Gruden was the head coach then, and it seems like a lifetime ago. Under the tutelage of interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, the team lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 32-13, in its most recent game against the AFC North.

The Raiders have actually been better against the number on the road, as opposed to The Strip. Las Vegas is 3-3 ATS in six games away from the bright lights of Sin City, including a 36-33 outright win in overtime as a touchdown 'dog on Thanksgiving.

Las Vegas is 0-4 ATS in the past four as a road favorite, if that stands, and they're 0-4 ATS in the past four on a grass surface. Vegas is also 1-5 ATS in the past six games in the month of December, as well as 1-5 ATS in the past six against AFC foes.

As far as the totals, the OVER is 4-1 in the past five against winning teams, and 19-9-1 in the past 29 games overall for the Silver and Black. The OVER is also 5-1 in the past six games played in the month of December, including last week's debacle at Arrowhead.

Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 7-6
  • ATS: 5-8
  • O/U: 7-6
  • ATS - Home: 2-5
  • ATS - Away: 3-3

The Browns opened as a moderate favorite, laying as many as 6.5 points at some shops. That was down to three by Wednesday afternoon, and some shops have even flipped the number to have Cleveland as an underdog at home by as many a 1.5 points. That line could continue to seesaw if we get more positive tests. The NFL and NFLPA is meeting to discuss the COVID protocols, although it's uncertain if there might be a change in the status of positive players ahead of Saturday's game, although anything is possible in this ever-changing landscape, so we'll see.

As it stands, Cleveland has failed to cover the number in four consecutive games since its last cover in a 41-16 romp at Cincinnati as two-point underdogs. Cleveland hasn't been an underdog at home all season, but it could very well end up as a 'dog if several starters remain out. When Keenum started the Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos in Week 7, with Mayfield resting his shoulder, the Browns won 17-14 in a low-scoring game, covering as 1.5-point favorites. A similar result wouldn't be shocking here, although several other players might also be away from the team along with No. 6. If Keenum and Mayfield are still unavailable Monday, Nick Mullens might be tasked with his first start as a member of the Browns.

As far as the totals are concerned, the Browns have had a rather interesting pattern this season. They opened with two OVER results, followed by two UNDER results. They have repeated that pattern all season, hitting two OVERs in a row in Weeks 5-6, then two UNDERs in Weeks 7-8. Then two OVERS, two UNDERs, etc. They hit the OVER last week, just barely, but if you're into those kind of circumstantial patterns, you have to believe an OVER is right around the corner Saturday. Of course, with the all of the absences, that's rather risky betting behavior.


The OVER is 11-3 across the past 14 games for the Raiders against AFC opponents. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Las Vegas Raiders

  • Record: 6-7
  • Division Standing: 1-3
  • Points Scored: 283
  • Points Allowed: 360
  • PS/G: 21.8
  • PA/G: 27.7

Inside the Stats - Cleveland Browns

  • Record: 7-6
  • Division Standing: 2-2
  • Points Scored: 278
  • Points Allowed: 289
  • PS/G: 21.4
  • PA/G: 22.2

Key Players to Watch

  • LVR: Derek Carr - QB (339/496, 3,926 yards, 18 TD, 10 INT)
  • LVR: Josh Jacobs - RB (133 rushes, 496 yards, 7 TD)
  • CLE: Nick Chubb - RB (167 rushes, 926 yards, 6 TD)
  • CLE: Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR (23 catches, 430 yards, 3 TD)

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Conclusion

There is so much uncertainty that this game was off the board at some books in the middle of the week. We press on, however. With the COVID issues for the Browns, especially in the pass game, one thing is certain, the Raiders are going to see plenty of Chubb, and Kareem Hunt, if the latter is available. He was also added to the COVID list late in the week. If not, D'Ernest Johnson will have his number called frequently. Don't be surprised to see the Browns attempt to run 40 or more times, if need be. UNDER bettors like the sound of that.

One reason for the ground-based attack is out of necessity, due to personnel absences. The other is the weather, as the forecast calls for temperatures at or around freezing, with winds gusting off of Lake Erie at 13-16 mph, with a slight chance of precipitation. That will wreak havoc on the pass game, doing Keenum no favors as he tries to settle in, and it will throw the kicking game off, too. The Raiders might keep it on the ground with Josh Jacobs a little more than usual, too, if the weather is unsavory. That's music to the ears of UNDER bettors, and that bet might be the only sure thing in town.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Trends

  • The Raiders are 1-5 ATS in the past six games overall.
  • The Raiders are 1-5 ATS in the past six games in December.
  • The Raiders are 1-5 ATS in the past six games vs. AFC.
  • The Raiders are 0-4 ATS in the past four as road favorites.
  • The Browns are 1-4 ATS in the past five home games.
  • The Browns are 2-6 ATS in the past eight games in December.
  • The OVER is 11-3 in the past 14 vs. AFC for the Raiders.
  • The UNDER is 4-0 in the past four vs. losing teams for the Browns.
  • The UNDER is 19-7 in the past 26 as a home 'dog for the Browns.

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