Predictions, Who’s Playing & How to Watch Patriots/Browns
By Eric Rosales in NFL News
Published:
- The New England Patriots are 2.5-point road favorites vs the Cleveland Browns
- Neither team intends to play any of its starters in the NFL preseason finale for both teams
- See below for the Patriots vs Browns predictions, odds, who’s playing and how to watch
It should be an ugly one both on the field and in the crowd when the New England Patriots visit the Cleveland Browns as 2.5-point road favorites in the NFL odds, in the preseason finale for both teams.
Both teams have already announced they will sit almost every starter or player of significance, but the bigger event will be the audience reception to the Browns at home.
It’s the first chance Browns fans will have to see their team since naming Deshaun Watson the starting QB, just days after a post-game meltdown where he said he felt disrespected for fans booing him in a preseason loss to the Bills.
Not a good start for a team already given the fourth-worst odds to make the NFL playoffs in the AFC.
This one goes Friday night at pm 8pm ET from Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
Patriots vs Browns Predictions
- Patriots -2.5 (-110 at bet365)
With Drake Maye sitting, Tommy DeVito is by far the best operating QB on the field for either team Friday.
DeVito is coming off a monster game in a 24-21 win over Philadelphia, going 8-for-15 for 151 yards and a touchdown, while leading the team in rushing with 44 yards.
There’s not much depth on that Cleveland roster, and either DeVito or Behren Morton — who threw for 129 yards and TD himself against Philly — should be able to exploit that.
There’s been little resistance from the Browns as their backups have been lit up this preseason, getting outscored a combined 34-0 after halftime in both games. Cleveland has also allowed 30+ points in both games.
With Watson and Shedeur Sanders both expected to sit, second-year man Dillon Gabriel and rookie 6th-rounder Taylen Green are expected to move the offense.
The Browns have mustered just 17 points through two preseason games, and it won’t get much better Friday.
Patriots vs Browns Odds
Odds as of August 27 from bet365. Click here for a bet365 Sportsbook promo code to bet on for NFL this season.
The Browns are set as +120 underdogs on the moneyline, and taking them with 2.5 points on the spread will come with some tax, as that pays out at -110 odds.
New England is -140 to win straight up, and they also get -110 odds on the spread, but have to win by at least three points to cover.
The total is set at 35.5 points, with -110 odds given on both sides of he wager.
NE Patriots vs CLE Browns Who’s Playing
No starters playing doesn’t mean there aren’t key guys to look out for trying to win a job on both sides. Check out my list of notables for Patriots vs Browns.
NE Patriots
- Matt Haack (P): incumbent Bryce Baringer got hurt last week, leaving a spot open for 9-year vet Matt Haack to find his way onto the active roster by Week 1, with a decent showing
- Lan Larison: (RB): Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are locked in the top two spots, but Larison, Jamarion Miller and Hassan Haskins are all vying for the RB3 position
- Caleb Lomu (OL): nightmare start last week, allowing three pressures and a sack. He’ll need a better showing to get into the mix, especially as the Patriots’ O-line is dinged up
- Kyle Williams: (WR): not a good sign to be called out by your head coach for effort on underthrown balls. The second-year pro can up his stock Friday.
CLE Browns
- Dillon Gabriel (QB): it’s a trip to the practice squad if he can’t outplay Taylen Green for the QB3 job
- Luke Floriea (WR): he’s battling Cedric Tillman, Malachi Corley, and Gage Larvadain for the final WR6 spot. Floriea needs to show out to stick to the roster
- Raheim Sanders & Ahmani Marshall: (RB): only one can claim the RB3 position, with Sanders currently ahead, but still up for grabs
- Christopher Edmonds & Donovan McMillon: (S): There’s a fourth safety slot that’s open, and neither has staked that spot.
Patriots vs Browns How to Watch
You can catch Patriots vs Browns nationally across the United States on Prime Video.
Local broadcasters will also carry the game, as Boston area fans can watch on WCVB Channel 5, while Cleveland area fans can tune into WEWS News 5.
International streaming is also available via DAZN and Fubo.
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Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
