Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nov. 21, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Detroit Lions are still searching for their first win as they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will air on FOX from FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.

Score Prediction

Browns 30, Lions 20

Best Bets

Over

Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns Predictions

It’s been a rough last month for the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has gone 2-4 after winning three of its first four games. The Browns were blasted by both Arizona and New England, and they will look to move above .500 once more against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Detroit nearly beat Pittsburgh to claim its first win of the season last week, but the Lions will find it much harder to win in Cleveland.

Cleveland is starting to get a little healthier. Nick Chubb was activated off the COVID list on Friday, and Baker Mayfield doesn’t have an injury designation going into this game. However, the Browns will still have some trouble putting away Detroit this week.

Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Odds

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Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Resources

• Matchup: NFC North vs. AFC North
• Date: Sunday, November 21, 2021
• Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium
• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 0-8-1
• ATS: 5-4
• O/U: 3-6
• ATS - Home: 2-2
• ATS - Away: 3-2

Jared Goff is doubtful to play this week with an oblique injury. That would make either Tim Boyle or David Blough the starter on Sunday. Boyle has yet to throw a pass this season and has been on injured reserve with a thumb injury. He only threw four passes during his time in Green Bay, but he is expected to start over the more experienced Blough.

Detroit would love to lean on the ground game this week. However, Jermar Jefferson is out, and Jamaal Williams is listed as questionable. D’Andre Swift should receive the bulk of the carries, but he is averaging just 3.4 YPC.

Swift and T.J. Hockenson are the top two receivers on the Lions. The receivers are improving though as Kalif Raymond and Amon-Ra St. Brown have looked better with more experience.

It looks like the Lions will be without Trey Flowers and Tracy Walker III this week. Detroit’s defense looked better last week against Pittsburgh though, and the front seven had success slowing down the Steelers’ ground game. They will need to do the same thing this week to stay within the number against Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 5-5
• ATS: 5-5
• O/U: 6-4
• ATS - Home: 2-3
• ATS - Away: 3-2

Mayfield has not had a great season under center for Cleveland. Mayfield has dealt with a few different injuries, limiting his production despite the presence of one of the best ground games in the NFL. He was awful last week against New England, and he hasn’t thrown for at least 240 yards in a game since October 10.

Mayfield might not have Donovan Peoples-Jones available this week due to a groin injury, and Jarvis Landryhasn’t been the difference maker we have seem in the past. Anthony Schwartz is out too, so we could see a lot more targets to Austin Hooper and David Njoku.

This ground game should be more productive with the return of Chubb. Chubb has missed three games, but he is still one of the best running backs in the league with 721 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 6.0 YPC. D’Ernest Johnson will continue to see a steady dose of carries too with Kareem Hunt sidelined.

Cleveland ranks sixth in total defense. The Browns are allowing just 323.9 YPG, as this front seven has been very good at stopping the run. They are surrendering 3.8 YPG and 94.7 YPG as Myles Garrett is looking to usurp Aaron Donald to become known as the best defensive lineman in the NFL.

Cleveland has won three of its last four games after losing the game prior. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Detroit Lions

• Record: 0-8-1
• Division Standing: 4th - NFC North
• Points Scored: 150
• Points Allowed: 260
• PS/G: 16.7 (29th)
• PA/G: 28.9 (31st)

Inside the Stats - Cleveland Browns

• Record: 5-5
• Division Standing: 4th - AFC North
• Points Scored: 231
• Points Allowed: 241
• PS/G: 23.1 (18th)
• PA/G: 24.1 (20th)

Key Players to Watch

• DET: D'Andre Swift - RB (123 carries, 419 yards, 3 TD)
• DET: T.J. Hockenson - TE (48 catches, 448 yards, 2 TD)
• CLE: Nick Chubb - RB (120 carries, 721 yards, 6 TD)
• CLE: Baker Mayfield - QB (161/246, 1,990 yards, 9 TD, 4 INT)

Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Conclusion

The outcome of this game is unlikely to ever be in real doubt, but the spread is a little lofty. Cleveland has only won two games by more than 10 points this season, so winless Detroit stands a good chance of keeping it relatively close.

Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns Betting Trends

• Detroit has lost 12 of its last 14 games.
• Detroit has covered the spread in three straight road games.
• Detroit has gone UNDER the point total in six of its last seven games.

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