Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers Betting Preview

After opening your Christmas presents on Saturday morning, enjoy one more present from the NFL with an afternoon matchup of playoff hopefuls as the Cleveland Browns (7-7) take on the Green Bay Packers (11-3). The Packers will host this one at Lambeau Field with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 pm ET.

The Browns come into this one on a bit of a skid, having lost two of their last three. Last week, they lost a heartbreaker, 16-14, to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The loss may have been pinned just as much on COVID-19 as their play, as the team was ravaged with stars having to sit out. Nick Mullens had to take the snaps under center and threw for 147 yards and a score. Nick Chubb rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown also.

Green Bay has now won three in a row as they all but have the NFC North clinched. They were able to take down the Ravens last week 31-30. Aaron Rodgers was remarkable in the win, throwing for 268 yards and three touchdowns.

The Packers are the favorites playing at home. They are -355 to win while the Browns’ moneyline sits at +285. The spread features Cleveland +7.5 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 45.5.

More Odds

With division worries behind them, the Packers are now focused on becoming the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs. They are currently -410 to do so. The Browns are +600 to win the AFC North.

In terms of the Super Bowl, the Packers are tied for the best odds to win it all at +450. The Browns are +8500 to win Super Bowl LVI.

By The Numbers

Green Bay currently has the stronger offense. They rank 14th in scoring averaging 25.6 points per game (30.7 at home). The Browns rank 19th averaging 20.9 points.

Defensively, it is again the Packers with the edge. They rank 10th in scoring defense allowing opponents an average of 21.6 points per game (17 at home). The Browns rank 13th allowing 21.8 points to opponents (27.3 on the road).

Browns Look To Make Playoff Push

While the Wild Card may be out of reach, the Browns still have a shot at their own division. With everyone in the division within a game of one another and several set to play each other in the coming weeks, this will be the most fascinating division to watch as the season concludes.

Every win is imperative for the Browns, and it certainly won’t come easy for them on Sunday. The Browns have 22 players in Covid protocol, including players like quarterback Baker Mayfield and pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

For Mayfield, he is eligible to come off the COVID list Saturday, but he is obviously hoping to test negative prior to that so that he can get in some practice. As of Thursday morning, that still hadn’t happened.

Assuming he plays, Mayfield has had an inconsistent season. In 12 games, he has thrown for 2,603 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

The Browns’ best weapon on offense is running back Nick Chubb. In 11 games this season, he has rushed for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has 114 receiving yards and another score through the air.

Packers Fighting For Top NFC Seed

While the Packers are happy to wrap up the NFC North, they have their sights set on a bigger prize in the NFC No. 1 seed. Currently, in the driver’s seat, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will try to help solidify that positioning on Christmas.

Rodgers is also trying to secure his second straight MVP award. At +140, he is currently the favorite to win it.

This season, Rodgers has thrown for 3,487 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He has also rushed for another three touchdowns.

Rodgers’ favorite target continues to be Davante Adams. In 13 games, Adams has 96 receptions for 1,248 yards and eight touchdowns. No other receiver has more than 427 yards.

Take The Packers To Win And Cover

There just isn’t a lot to like with the Browns in this one. Even if they do get back some of their regulars, it will be with minimal practice as they face the top-seeded Packers.

Furthermore, Green Bay is just dominant at home. While they are 11-3 overall, they are 6-0 when playing at Lambeau Field.

Expect the Packers to have success on both sides of the ball and to win this one with relative ease. Take Green Bay to both win and to cover the 7.5-point spread.