The Indianapolis Colts are inching closer to their second-straight AFC South title and their third-straight postseason appearance after a convincing victory over Washington in Week 13. The same can’t be said of the Browns, who hit a speed bump in their 26-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Can the Browns stay alive in the wild card hunt? Or will the Colts end Cleveland’s hopes by a blowout?
For more on this week’s exciting matchups, check out our complete previews for the Patriots vs. Chargers game and Monday Night Football’s Falcons vs. Packers.
[sc:Football ]Indianapolis Colts vs. Cleveland Browns Preview
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
When: Sunday, December 7, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Indianapolis Colts (-4) at Cleveland Browns (+4); total: 50.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck threw for 370 yards and a career-high five touchdowns to lead the Colts past Washington 49-27 on Sunday. The Colts quarterback broke Peyton Manning’s franchise record (nine) for most 300-yard games in one season with his 10th on Sunday.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Luck also became the fifth NFL player since 1970 to win 30 regular season games in a player’s first three seasons, the first quarterback in Colts history to throw two touchdown passes of 70-plus yards in the same game and the third Indianapolis quarterback with 30 touchdown passes in a season.
But don’t let Luck’s big game fool you. He may be in for a rough ride against Cleveland’s constricting pass defense, one that has held opposing quarterbacks to average passer rating of 74.1 (the lowest rating allowed in the NFL).
Still, the Colts quarterback has a receiving corps capable of bailing him out of trouble. Three receivers caught touchdown passes against Washington. Wide receiver Donte Moncrief caught three passes for 134 yards and two scores, while T.Y. Hilton had 62 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Coby Fleener also had a big day catching four passes for 127 yards and two scores.
If Luck can’t get the Colts going through the air, then running back Daniel Herron is a solid option against Cleveland’s porous defensive line (132.5 yards allowed per game). Herron had a season-high 88 yards, including a 49-yard scoring run (the Colts’ longest run of the season) on eight carries on Sunday.
On the other side of the ball, the Colts have an excellent pass rush unit, which has racked up the fifth-most sacks in the league (34). Linebackers Eric Walden (five sacks) and D’Qwell Jackson (four) are solid on blitzes, but may struggle to contain a mobile quarterback in Cleveland’s Johnny Manziel. They may still have some success against the Browns, especially if the less mobile Brian Hoyer, who has been sacked 16 times this season, starts behind center.
The Colts are 4-1 ATS as a road team this season.
Betting on the Cleveland Browns
Johnny Football finally had some significant playing time against Buffalo on Sunday. Coming off the bench with 12 minutes remaining, Manziel gave the Browns a badly needed spark. The electric rookie scored on a 10-yard run (Cleveland’s only touchdown of the game) to cap off an eight-play, 80-yard drive, but was contained for the rest of the contest.
Manziel may have done enough to earn the first start of his NFL career against Indianapolis in Week 14, especially with veteran quarterback Hoyer throwing six interceptions in the last three games.
If he does indeed start, the rookie faces a favorable matchup against the Colts. Indianapolis has allowed an average of 257 yards passing, which could open up his big arm. The Colts have also allowed 4.5 yards per carry, giving Manziel the opportunity to utilize his scrambling abilities for considerable yardage.
Starting Manziel may also give the Browns’ running game a spark after they finished with only 74 yards against Buffalo. While the Colts defense focuses in on the Manziel, Cleveland may have some success with the draw play to utilize their talented rookie running backs.
Isaiah Crowell has rushed for five yards per carry this season and has accounted for half of the Browns’ 14 rushing touchdowns, while Terrance West leads the team with 470 yards and 126 carries and gives the Browns another option on the run.
While the Browns’ running game milks the clock to keep Colts’ league-best offense (438.3 total yards per game) on the sideline, Cleveland’s secondary should have the necessary talent to limit Luck and his receiving corps’ time on the field. Browns cornerback Tashaun Gipson leads the league with six interceptions and will be a stern challenge for Luck in Cleveland’s secondary.
Meanwhile, defensive backs Joe Haden and Jim Leonhard are both fresh off intercepting Buffalo’s Kyle Orton in their previous game, giving the Browns more threats to force an interception from the Colts quarterback.
The Browns are 3-0-1 ATS following a loss this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Browns’ running game allows them to stay within a field goal. Take the Browns (+4) to cover at home. Got a different take? Create a betting account now and back your pick.
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