Opening Broncos vs Browns Odds for TNF Week 7
- The Cleveland Browns opened as 5.5-point home favorites over the Denver Broncos in the NFL’s Week 7 edition of Thursday Night Football
- Both teams are coming off lopsided home-field losses during Week 6
- Denver has won 12 of the last 13 meetings with Cleveland
The once-promising notion the the Denver Broncos were ready to contend in the NFL West? It may be time to reassess.
Oh, and the thought that the Cleveland Browns were legitimate Super Bowl contenders? That might also have been somewhat premature.
The Browns will play host to the Broncos in the NFL’s Week 7 TNF showdown. Both 3-3 teams will still be licking their wounds from lopsided setbacks encountered Sunday on their home fields.
Denver was whipped 34-24 by the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Cleveland was absolutely spanked 37-14 by the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals.
Oddsmakers are opting to stick with the Browns as the pick in this game. Cleveland is being established as the 5.5-point favorite in the opening line. The Browns are 1-2 against the spread as a home favorite this season.
Broncos vs Browns Opening Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | +188 | +5.5 (-114) | O 43.5 (-106) |
| Cleveland Browns | -225 | -5.5 (-106) | U 43.5 (-114) |
Odds as of October 17th at FanDuel.
Kickoff for Thursday’s game at First Energy Stadium is set for 8:20 pm ET. Cloudy skies, 11 mph wind and a temperature of 50 degrees are in the forecast. FOX Sports will be carrying the broadcast.
Cleveland’s Rocked
Facing the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, this was a statement game. And it was the Cardinals who made the statement by mopping up the field with the hometown Browns.
Sums up the day for the @Browns. pic.twitter.com/8M0lg26r8w
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 17, 2021
It was 20-0 by the second quarter. Minus the club’s top rusher, Cleveland’s vaunted running attack was held to 73 yards. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield turned the ball over three times. He lost a pair of fumbles and was intercepted once.
Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead
Considering the early-season struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs, it could be argued that the AFC West is there for the taking. After the past three weeks, it’s readily evident that it won’t be the Broncos who will be taking it.
The sheen of a solid 3-0 start – albeit fashioned via wins over the Giants, Jaguars and Jets, who are a combined 3-14 – has completely worn off. Denver has gone 0-3 against the Ravens, Steelers and Raiders, giving up an average of 28 points per game in the process.
Broncos facing 3rd and 5, Teddy Bridgewater overthrows a wide open Courtland Sutton. pic.twitter.com/e1JF3ecWrg
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) October 17, 2021
Six games into the season, Denver is discovering what Carolina learned last season. Teddy Bridgwater isn’t a solution at QB. At best, he’s a stopgap, a placeholder. He might not lose a team games but he doesn’t have the required stuff to make plays and win games.
Browns Out
Not only did the Browns lose on Sunday, their injury losses also continued to mount. Running back Kareem Hunt left the field in obvious pain with what was later diagnosed as a calf injury. He was unable to put any weight on his right leg. Hunt will have an MRI and further tests but there’s already fears he’s done for the season.
Kareem Hunt is being carted off of the field. pic.twitter.com/PKt3COkxzX
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 17, 2021
Mayfield re-injured his left non-throwing shoulder when sacked by Cardinals defensive tackle JJ Watt. He already has a torn labrum in that shoulder and was seen after the game with the arm in a sling.
The Browns entered Sunday’s game minus #1 running back Nick Chubb (calf), wide receiver Jarvis Landry (knee) and starting tackles Jedrick Wills Jr (ankle) and Jack Conklin (knee).
Line Dancing
Once the Cleveland injury situation becomes clearer, this line could move in favor of the Broncos.
Teddy Bridgewater is picked again, his third of the game.
Raiders will kneel out the clock on a 34-24 win that drops the Broncos to 3-3 on the season.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) October 17, 2021
Denver’s impressive 12-1 mark over the last 13 games against the Browns must be taken into account. Denver hasn’t lost at Cleveland since 1989 (7-0).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
