Cleveland Browns vs Washington Commanders Odds, Lines, Spread, and Picks NFL Week 17
By Michael Harrison in NFL Football
Updated: January 3, 2023 at 12:55 pm ESTPublished:
- The postseason-hungry Commanders clash Sunday, January 1st with the Browns coming to town
- Washington is a two-and-a-half-point favorite as they battle for a playoff spot in the NFC
- See the Browns vs Commanders odds and picks ahead of Sunday’s game at 1:00 pm ET
Sunday, the 7-7-1 Commanders host the 6-9 Browns, with Washington looking to strengthen their grip on an NFC Wild Card spot. Cleveland has been eliminated from postseason contention. Washington is turning back to Carson Wentz at quarterback to replace the ineffective Taylor Heinicke. It’ll be Wentz’s first start since way back in Week 6. Read on for the Cleveland Browns vs Washington Commanders analysis.
The Commanders are huge longshots in the Super Bowl odds at +12500, while the Browns are off the board. Follow their in-state rival Bengals odds in the lead up to the launch of Ohio online sports betting on January 1.
Browns vs Commanders Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | +2.5 (-110) | O 41 (-110) | +110 |
| Washington Commanders | -2.5 (-110) | U 41 (-110) | -130 |
Odds as of December 30 at DraftKings Sportsbook Ohio
Washington are -130 favorites on the moneyline, 2.5-point favorites against the spread, and the total is set at 41 in this Browns vs Commanders matchup.
Cleveland is expected to narrowly pull off the upset 17.7-17.6 based on our formula.
Kickoff at FedEx Field in Summerfield, MD is set for 1:00 pm ET. It’s expected to be mainly sunny all game. Wind gusts will start at 14 miles per hour, but subside to seven MPH towards the end of the contest, with temperatures in the mid 50’s. FOX is carrying the broadcast in the United States.
Betting Analysis
Despite their 6-9 record, Cleveland has managed to be in nearly every game this season, with all but three contests ending in a victory or a one-score loss.
The Browns have three wins in their last five, with the most points they’ve given up in that span being 23 (to the Bengals). In his four games since the return from suspension, Watson has completed just 57% of his passes, with three total touchdowns against three interceptions. Since an opening victory versus his former team in Houston, Watson hasn’t led the Browns to any more than 13 points in the last three outings.
Deshaun Watson. Game on the line. Aannndddd … sack 😬pic.twitter.com/Oj0A7ACT3Y
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 24, 2022
After a blistering 6-1 stretch that saw them positioned right in the thick of the postseason hunt, Ron Rivera and co. have gone winless in three outings (0-2-1), where they have failed to score more than 20 points in any of those games. That’s led to incumbent starter Taylor Heinicke being benched in favor of Carson Wentz, who held the job before going down with injury in Week 6. In parts of seven contests, the 2016 second-overall pick has eleven TD passes and six INT’s.
The Browns are the 19th-best team according to Pro Football Focus (9th on offense, 27th on defense). Their counterparts are 20th overall (26th on offense and 14th on D).
Injury Report
The team that has nothing to play for has by far the better bill of health, with only Jadeveon Clowney (concussion/illness) listed as questioned for the Browns.
The Commanders have many more concerns. LB Jon Bostic went on the IR (pectoral). RB Antonio Gibson (foot/knee), is out, along with DE James Smith-Williams and OL Saahdiq Charles (concussions). Four Washington players are questionable also, and they’re all defensive backs, which will benefit Deshaun Watson. CB’s Christian Holmes (ankle) and CB Benjamin St.-Juste (ankle), might not suit up, along with safety Percy Butler and Kamren Curl.
Final Browns-Commanders injury report: pic.twitter.com/VSPh7gvEgW
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 30, 2022
63% of bets have been placed on Washington to cover the 2.5-point spread, with 61% of wagers on the under 41 points in Browns vs Commanders NFL betting trends, with 58% of bets placed on Washington to win on the moneyline.
Cleveland Browns vs Washington Commanders Prediction
Despite losing four of their last five on the road, Cleveland has shown an ability to keep games tight, if not win them outright. They’re by far the healthier team entering this one, and they have no pressure, compared to Washington seeing their postseason hopes slipping away. They’re also up against Wentz, who has proven to be shaky and also hasn’t started since October.
The under has hit in the last five Browns contests. Additionally, the under has won out each time in the Commanders’ last four outings against teams with losing records.
The Pick:
- Browns +2.5 (-110); 1 unit to win 0.91 units
- Under 41 points (-110) 1 unit to win 0.91 units
2022 record: 17-17; +0.45 units
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Sports & Entertainment Writer
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 19 years, is the CEO of his "All Bets Par Off" weekly golf betting videos and his HDOG POD, along with several others.
