Browns vs. Chargers Point Spread: NFL Week 5 Odds, Prediction
The Chargers claimed a share of the divisional lead in the AFC West with last weekend’s 28-14 victory over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, which also marked their fourth victory in six home contests. The Browns travel to SoFi Stadium riding high after tallying a 14-7 win in Minnesota last weekend, that extends their current straight up win streak to three games, and leaves them deadlocked in a three-way tie for top spot in the AFC North.
L.A. is a slim 1.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 47.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The betting line for Sunday afternoon’s matchup has steadily tilted in the Chargers’ favour since opening as a pick ‘em. There has also been plenty of movement on the total, which opened at 51.5 before dipping to its current position at 47.0.
Sunday’s contest marks the first meeting between these two teams since October 2018. The Chargers have largely dominated in head-to-head meetings with Cleveland, posting outright wins in eight of 11 clashes since 1999, including a perfect 4-0 record on home turf. However, Los Angeles has struggled to reward sports bettors during that stretch, covering the spread just once in the past seven games, including three straight against the spread losses at home.
Recent meetings between these teams have tended to be low scoring, with the total finishing well under 40 in three of their past five. However, the Chargers dominated when they visited Cleveland three years ago, marching to a lopsided 38-14 victory as 1-point underdogs.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns extended their strong start to the season with last weekend’s victory in Minnesota as 1-point chalk. The Cleveland offence has been clicking, averaging 25 points per game. However, quarterback Baker Mayfield has been less than dominant, tossing just two total TDs to date, and has been sacked a total of eight times over the past two weeks. Fortunately, the defence has picked up the slack. The Browns have surrendered just 13 total points in their recent wins over Chicago and Minnesota, trailing only Buffalo, while allowing just 250.3 total yards per game.
Los Angeles Chargers
While the Browns offence has sputtered, the Chargers attack has steadily gained momentum. Quarterback Justin Herbert continued to light up opposing defences last weekend, tossing for three scores in LA’s win over Las Vegas, and has now connected on seven touchdown passes over the past two weeks while avoiding being intercepted. Early scoring has fuelled the Chargers’ current run. Los Angeles has struck first in each of its past two outings, allowing just three total first-quarter points during that stretch, and has benefited from a largely healthy lineup through the first month of the campaign. Loos for the Chargers to continue their recent dominance over a Browns squad facing their toughest opponent since Week 1.
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