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Bears vs Browns Odds, Lines, and Spread – NFL Week 3
By Eric Rosales in NFL Football
Updated: September 26, 2021 at 7:45 am EDTPublished:
- Bears’ rookie Justin Fields gets first pro start vs Browns Sunday
- Sunday Betting Record: 0-0 ML; 2-0 ATS; 1-1 O/U; +1.70 units
- Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction
After an uneven start to the season, the Cleveland Browns are looking to show they’re for real.
Their opponent in Week 3, the Chicago Bears, hand over the reigns to their franchise-savior-in-waiting, rookie Justin Fields, who’s hoping to do the same.
It makes for an intriguing one on Sunday (September 25) from FirstEnergy Stadium in Ohio.
Kickoff goes at 1pm ET, and will be broadcast on Fox. Oddsmakers aren’t showing much love to the visiting Bears, who are 7-point road underdogs in this one.
Bears vs Browns Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | +260 | +7 (-105) | O 44.5 (-110) |
| Cleveland Browns | -335 | -7 (-115) | U 44.5 (-110) |
Odds as of Sept. 24th at DraftKings.
Fields of Dreams
It was only a matter of time before Fields was to usurp Andy Dalton as starter for the Bears. A bone bruise in Dalton’s knee has accelerated that timeline.
Fields has seen action in both games this year: running special packages in Week 1 in a loss to the Rams, then taking over for Dalton in Week 2 against the Bengals.
Gotta love @AndyDalton14 cheering on @JustnFields from the sideline.
(via @NFLFilms) @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/Bn66ILU5XA
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2021
He didn’t exactly set the world on fire against Cincy — playing in non-preseason games will do that to you — but he made enough plays for the Bears to hang onto to beat the Bengals 20-17. He completed 6-of-13 passes for 60 yards while throwing an interception. The 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft also had 10 carries for 31 yards.
But a full week of practice should do a QB good, and the Bears could certainly use some explosiveness in the passing game.
Justin Fields: "I'm not pleased with how I played at all. There's a lot more in me that I need to show … Whatever happens, I'm meant for this. I'm meant to be here."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) September 19, 2021
According to PFF, Chicago ranks last in the NFL with just 3.9% of their passing plays going 15+ yards. They’re also a woeful 28th in scoring, putting up just 17 points per game so far this season.
Look for Matt Nagy to scheme up a gameplan that will allow Fields’ athleticism and arm strength to pierce a Browns’ defense that has been picked apart by both the Chiefs and Texans in back-to-back weeks.
Browns Getting Better
There are offensive stretches this year where Cleveland looks downright terrifying. There’s the four possession, four scores first half in Kansas City against the Chiefs. There’s also the Baker Mayfield 10-for-10 first half passing against the Texans. But there’s also the defensive collapse that allowed Patrick Mahomes and co to come back for a win.
Fun play design from the #Texans sets up the Phillip Lindsay screen TD from Tyrod Taylor. #Browns back on even footing. pic.twitter.com/qh8LEMBVmP
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) September 19, 2021
While losing to the cream of the AFC crop is understandable, it’s more concerning when Tyrod Taylor is picking apart your defense, with only a hamstring injury able to cool him off.
The Browns have been strong against the run, allowing just three yards per carry so far this season, but the pass defense hasn’t held up their end of things. They’re in the bottom-10 in both pass yards allowed per game (272) and yards per attempt (8.7).
Nick Chubb has scored a rushing TD in 8 STRAIGHT GAMES passing Jim Brown’s personal record (7) 💯
(via @Browns, h/t @NFLonCBS)pic.twitter.com/FuoYama2GH
— Overtime (@overtime) September 19, 2021
It’s too bad, because their offense is legit good. Powered by the stud backfield of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the Browns grind out 5.1 yards per carry, and they lead the league in rushing touchdowns with seven. They haven’t had a full stable of pass-catchers all season, and won’t again in Week 3. Though Odell Beckham Jr is expected to make his season debut after knee surgery, Jarvis Landry has been ruled out of Week 3 with a knee injury.
What’s the Best Bet?
It’s pretty cool that Fields gets his first official start in his adopted state. He put himself on the map with a dominant run down the way in Columbus at Ohio State University. Fields threw at least two TD passes (and 28 overall) in 10 college games played in the state of Ohio.
He’s catching a Browns defense that, while talented on paper, is still trying to put together a good game under Joe Woods, and has surrendered 27 points a game this year. Fortunately, the Browns’ offense looks like it can outscore problems this season. They rank sixth in the league, putting up 30 points per game.
While I expect Cleveland to win, they are just 1-5 ATS in their last six home games, and I think the beat goes on here.
Pick:Â Bears + 7 (1 unit to win 0.95 units)
Eric Rosales
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.
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