NFL Week 5 Picks: Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans

Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 10/5/14, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Tennessee -1
Current Betting Line: Tennessee -2
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 44.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Cleveland Browns are 2-22 SU in their last 24 road games

Cleveland has alternated wins and losses over its first three games, as it looks to bounce back from a 23-21 setback to the Baltimore Ravens as two-point home underdogs on Sept. 21, while it has lost the statistical battle in each of those affairs. The Browns have been pleased with the production they’ve received from first-string quarterback Brian Hoyer, which is important to consider when making your Week 5 NFL betting picks, as he’s thrown for 716 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions to stay ahead of rookie Johnny Manziel on the depth chart. Cleveland is 3-5 SU and 4-4 ATS in October the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 5-3 in that situation.

The Browns have dropped 22 of their last 24 road games, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting lines, especially since they’ve allowed an average of 25.7 points in the early going this season. Offensively, the team ranks in the top 10 in terms of running the football, with rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West combining for 345 yards and five touchdowns due to Ben Tate missing time with a knee injury.

Tennessee is 1-3 SUATS through four games, as it returns home off a humiliating 41-17 setback to the Indianapolis Colts as 7.5-point road underdogs Sunday, while going OVER the betting total for the first time. The Titans must play better football under first-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt, as their 307 penalty yards is the fifth-highest figure in the league. The franchise has won the last two meetings in this AFC series, including a 31-13 road victory in 2011. Tennessee is 6-3 SU and 4-4-1 ATS versus teams with a losing record since 2012.

The Titans must protect quarterback Jake Locker to be successful, as his 70.8 passer rating is among the worst in the NFL, but he’s also been sacked eight times. The former Washington Huskies star is completing 56.4 percent of his passes and thrown three touchdowns with four interceptions.