Browns vs. Jaguars Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Jacksonville stumbled last week in Miami as they blew a 10-point halftime lead and were shut out in the second half of their 20-17 loss against the Dolphins. Cleveland looked terrible in a 33-17 blowout loss against the Cowboys in Week 1 and the team has to be regretting quarterback Deshaun Watson’s massive fully guaranteed contract.
The Jags opened as 3-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 41.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Browns have won the last two meetings between these teams (the Over hit both games), with Jacksonville’s last victory coming in 2017 (the total went Under). But, keep in mind that Cleveland is just 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against the Jaguars.
The Browns have been strangely dominant against AFC South opponents, winning 10 of their last 11 games against the division. You can likely bank on a high scoring affair in Week 2 as Cleveland has hit the Over in 10 straight road games and six straight against the AFC South. Historically, they’re just 1-4 ATS in their last five Week 2 games.
Jacksonville is riding a five-game losing streak against AFC opponents, but I would be shocked if that trend continued against a brutal Cleveland team. They’ve been a decent cover option against the AFC North, going13-6-1 in their last 20 games against the division. Dating to last season, the Jags have played the Under in four of their last five games, including last week’s loss in Miami.
Cleveland Browns
There’s no question the Browns made a mistake turning to Deshaun Watson as their quarterback. Watson finished 24 of 45 for just 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, last week. He was also sacked six times and consistently overthrew the ball. Watson, who was playing for the first time since breaking his shoulder last November, now has an ugly 15-11 TD-INT ratio with a career-low 6.5 yards per target in 12 starts with Cleveland.
More bad news for Cleveland as tight end David Njoku has been ruled out this week after leaving last week’s game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. The team also placed linebackers Mohamoud Diabate (hip) and Tony Fields II (ankle), as well as defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (ankle) and safety Juan Thornhill (calf) on injured reserve, with all four players set to miss at least four games.
Jacksonville Jaguars
It was a tale of two halves for Jacksonville last week, who led 17-7 at the half, but were shut out in the final two quarters and lost by a walk-off field goal. After signing a big contract extension in the off-season, Trevor Lawrence completed 12 of 21 pass attempts for 162 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence was sacked three times in the game, including back-to-back plays to set up Miami’s winning drive. Rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., drafted 23rd overall out of LSU, finished with 47 yards and a touchdown on four catches.
The main injury concern for the Jaguars is cornerback Tyson Campbell, who left last week’s game with a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter. Head coach Doug Pederson described Campbell as “week-to-week”, although he didn’t officially rule him out Sunday. If Campbell doesn’t play, Montaric Brown will likely be his replacement. Brown played 19 snaps to finish last week’s game.
CLE
JAC