BUCCS-BROWNS
Time: 1 PM ET
Spread: CLE -7
M/L: CLE -320; TAM +260
Total: 43.5
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
It’s been rough for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans this year. Aside from a week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bucs have lost every game this year, 1-6. Tampa ranks near the bottom of all major offensive and defensive categories and will find itself 7-point underdogs to the Cleveland Browns according to NFL odds listed on Bovada.
It’s tough to say whether the Bucs season would have been any better had Josh McCown stayed healthy. Mike Glennon, a second year player from NC State, has struggled. He’s thrown for 1,157 yards but at just a 58 percent clip and with only 6.81 yards per reception. He’s thrown eight TDs to four INTs. Vincent Jackson (357 yards) and M6ike Evans (336) are Tampa’s top two wideouts.
The Bucs haven’t got a lot from its backfield. Bobby Rainey hast rushed for 287 yards averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and he’s been the go-to staple. Doug Martin is good for just 2.9 yards per carry, and no other Bucs players have significant carries.
The Browns have been surprisingly decent, going 4-3 thus far and on the strengths of a solid offense that is pretty balanced. The Browns average 120 yards per game on the ground, good for 12th in the NFL, but the Cleveland D is just as bad at stopping the run, allowing 143.4 yards per game to opposing rushers.
The Browns have won three of its last four, with wins over Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Oakland last week, with the lone loss coming Oct 19 to Jacksonville.
For all the cries for Johnny Manziel, Brian Hoyer has been decent. He’s thrown eight TDs to just two INTs, and has had just 0.9 percent of his thaws picked off. The Browns backfield features three backs all with 250 yards or more, but none of whom have five-plus yard per carry averages. Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West have combined for all nine of the Browns’ rushing TDs.
