The Cleveland Browns are truly looking like a different team than the one that went 0-16 last season, but then again, they went undefeated in the 2017 preseason before submerging before taking a dive in the lake and never resurfacing. Still, the Browns have some momentum heading into their showdown with the Detroit Lions, who made sure they’re not going to finish this set of exhibition games by getting their first win last week.
Although they have improved, the Browns are still +800 to win the AFC North, while the Lions are +700 to win the NFC North in Matt Patricia’s first year as head coach of the team.
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Betting Preview for the Cleveland Browns vs Detroit Lions NFL Preseason Game on August 30, 2018
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
When: Thursday, August 30, 2018, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Browns (+2.5) vs Detroit Lions (-2.5) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NFL Game Pass
Betting on the Cleveland Browns (2-1 Preseason Record)
The Browns certainly let a big sigh of relief when they learned that quarterback Tyrod Taylor is going to be just fine. Taylor appeared to have suffered a serious wrist injury in last week’s 5-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, the signal-caller extinguished those fears by coming back to the game. However, don’t expect Taylor to play at all this Thursday, as it has been a tradition for teams to sit out starters in Week 4 of the preseason. With that, rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield and veteran Drew Stanton are likely to share the playmaking load from under center. Meanwhile, the Browns’ defense has been clicking in the preseason with none of their last three opponents scoring more than 20 points. Against the Eagles, Cleveland recorded two interceptions and seven sacks.
The Browns are 5-1 ATS in their last six preseason games.
Betting on the Detroit Lions (1-2 Preseason Record)
The Lions finally broke into the win column in the preseason by downing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, 33-30. After scoring just 27 points in total over their first two preseason outings, Matthew Stafford and company turned on their boosters on the attack versus Tampa Bay, with the quarterback going 9-of-18 for 113 yards. It’s Stafford’s backups who had the passing touchdowns, though, with Matt Cassel and Jake Rudock splitting the two passing scores of the Lions in that game. Up against the Browns’ solid preseason stop unit, Detroit will have one more chance before the regular season to offer some confidence-inspiring performance in terms of QB protection. Against the Bucs, Detroit Bucs pass rushers to take Stafford down to the ground three times for a loss of 16 yards.
The Lions are 4-3 ATS in their last seven preseason outings.
Writer’s Prediction
Cleveland wins, 21-13.
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