The last time the Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield shared the field, it resulted in a barnburner of a college football game. The two will look to recreate the same exciting atmosphere this time as pros this coming weekend. Will Mahomes and the Chiefs (-750 to win the AFC West) add to the misery of the Browns (+10,000 to win the AFC North) this season? Or will Mayfield and the Browns score a huge upset in their first game since firing Hue Jackson?
The Chiefs are building yet another win streak. After suffering their first loss of the season back in Week 5 to the New England Patriots, the Chiefs have taken down the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6, 45-10, and the Denver Broncos, 30-23, last Sunday. We all know the Chiefs can score – a lot. But we’re also starting to discover that there’s life in their defense, too. The Chiefs are only 21st in the league this season with 25.6 points allowed per game, but have allowed just 16.5 over their last two games. Against the Broncos, Kansas City sacked Case Keenum five times and forced two turnovers. The Chiefs are only bound to improve on that side of the ball. Still, it’s still the offense that’s going to be the draw for Kansas City. The Chiefs are averaging 36.2 points and 425.2 total yards per game, first and third overall in the league, respectively. The Browns can be stout on defense, but they also give up a lot of extra chances for opposing teams because they are averaging the third-most penalties per game with 8.1. The Chiefs are going to have to capitalize on those opportunities.
The Chiefs are 5-0 ATS in their last five road games.
Betting on the Cleveland Browns (2-5-1)
The Browns are undefeated since firing head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. But seriously, it’s going to take Cleveland more than a week to adjust to that magnitude of coaching-staff reassembling, but could also be a spark for the team’s offense. The Browns are leading the league in turnover margin with a plus-minus of +11, but are only averaging just 21.1 points per game. They also have good and great talents on offense with the likes of Jarvis Landry and David Njoku downfield and the up-and-coming Baker Mayfield running the show from the pocket. Maybe a change of scenery in the sidelines is all Cleveland needs to have an offensive breakout. Although we’ve mentioned earlier that the Chiefs are getting better on offense, they still have to prove that they can sustain it, so don’t count out the Browns from having significant success offensively at home this weekend. The Browns’ backfield, even though Carlos Hyde is no longer with the team, can take advantage of Kansas City’s run defense that allowed 189 rushing yards to Denver in Week 8.
The Browns are 3-1 ATS in their last four four home games.
