Both the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns are dealing with quarterback issues, with Clayton Tune getting the start for Arizona while it awaits the return of Kyler Murray, and Deshaun Watson returning after missing three of the last four games with a shoulder injury. So, which team has the edge in this matchup? Let’s break down this game.
Cardinals vs. Browns Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread:Â Browns -12.5
- Moneyline:Â Cardinals (+500), Browns (-700)
- Over/Under:Â 38
- Game time:Â 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location:Â Cleveland Browns Stadium
- Channel: CBS
Cardinals vs. Browns Prediction
The Browns get Watson back, and Cleveland is hoping he lasts longer than the 12 plays it got out of him two weeks ago against the Indianapolis Colts when head coach Kevin Stefanski pulled him to avoid further risk to his injured shoulder.
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He not only appears healthy once again, but he’ll also be back at home for the first time since late September when he led the Browns to a 27-3 whipping of the Tennessee Titans in Week 3.
Watson enjoyed probably his best game since he joined the Browns last season back in Week 3, completing 82% of his passes (his highest with the Browns) for 289 yards (also his highest with the Browns) and a passer rating of 123.4 (again, his highest with the Browns).
For the Cardinals, they were hoping to enjoy the return of Murray, but it was announced Saturday that he will not be activated for today’s game. So, Arizona will have to turn to rookie Clayton Tune, he of the one career NFL pass, to try and get through this game.
Arizona has lost five in a row since its lone win of the season back in Week 3 over Dallas — an outcome that remains a head-scratcher — and it is averaging just 15.8 PPG during this five-game slide.
The problem that Tune and the Cardinals face is that the Browns continue to have perhaps the league’s No. 1 defense. Cleveland is ranked top in total defense, passing defense, and third-down defense.
Not to mention, at home this season, the Browns are allowing less than 13 points a game (12.8) and well under 200 total yards a game (186.8).
And no matter who is quarterbacking these teams, the best player on the field Sunday will likely still be defensive end Myles Garrett. Garrett continues to make a case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, with top-five rankings in the league in sacks (8.5 — third most), quarterback hits (17 — second most), and forced fumbles (four — leads NFL).
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As for how to bet on this game, although they are coming off a loss, the Browns have responded well following a loss recently, going 8-3 against the spread over the last two seasons in games following a straight-up loss, including 2-0 this season.
Remember, the last time Cleveland lost back in Week 4 to the Ravens, it bounced back two weeks later — following a bye week — to completely surprise the San Francisco 49ers, winning 19-17.
Big spreads when you’re a slightly above-average team like the Browns is a risk, especially when you consider the Cardinals have managed somehow to post a 4-4 ATS record this season.
But facing the Browns’ defense on the road in your career start is a difficult task for Tune, and I think Cleveland will be able to dominate this game on the defensive side.
Plus, with a pair of huge AFC rivals coming up over the next two weeks after the Arizona game — at Baltimore and home versus Pittsburgh — the last thing the Browns want is a loss to a struggling team. By the time we reach Thanksgiving, the Browns’ playoff picture could either be very rosy or very cloudy.
For this week, I’m going with the home team and the defense.
Best Bet: Browns -12.5 (-115 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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