Buccaneers vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Week 12 Odds, Prediction

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers return from their bye week looking to climb back over .500, and a desperate Cleveland Browns squad awaits them in Ohio Sunday. Tampa Bay last played in Germany on November 13, defeating Seattle 21-16 and getting to 5-5 on the season. Cleveland had an eventful week that saw them fall 31-23 to Buffalo in a game played indoors in Detroit.

The unfair part for Cleveland is they’re now 3-7 and several games out a playoff spot while a loss for the 5-5 Buccaneers could even keep them in first place in the NFC South. Also of note, this could be Jacoby Brissett’s last start at quarterback for Cleveland this season, as Deshaun Watson is eligible to return in Week 13.

Kickoff at FirstEnergy Stadium gets underway at 1 p.m. EST, with Tampa Bay a 3.5-point favourite on the road and the total at 43.0 on the NFL odds.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

It’s been tough sledding for each club when it comes to covering the spread, as Tampa’s got one ATS win under their belt in their last eight showings and Cleveland two in their last seven. One trend that doesn’t necessarily have to be broken is the total. And the under is 4-0 in the Bucs four road games this season, and 4-0-1 in Cleveland’s five home outings.

A large reason to why is Tampa Bay is 27th in the NHL with 18.3 points per game. Cleveland in turn actually allows the third-most points per game, but are slightly better on home field when it comes to playing defence.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs put a major emphasis on running the football the last time they hit the field, a major shift for an offence that leads the NFL with 42.8 pass attempts per game. Rookie Rachaad White received half of Tampa’s 44 carries in their win against Seattle, eclipsing 100 yards for the first time in his career. Regular starting RB Leonard Fournette was limited all week with a hamstring injury, but mixing White in more should provide Tampa Bay with a needed spark on offence.

In injury news, defensive tackle Vita Vea suffered a foot injury in Tampa Bay’s Week 10 game and did not practice Wednesday. Neither did receiver Russell Gage who’s been out since Week 7.

Cleveland Browns

Brissett cracked 300 passing yards for the first time as a Brown last week. It’s ironic timing as his time as Cleveland’s starter has started to tick with Watson returning to practice. But regardless of who’s playing quarterback, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combining for 51 rushing yards on 19 carries like they did against Buffalo is a lack of production the Browns can’t afford.

Cleveland’s stayed in games this season due to a ground game that ranks fifth in the NFL with 150.9 yards per game. Chubb is fourth in the league with 923 rushing yards, so inserting Watson to elevate the Browns passing game should make them a complete offence. And for a defence 30th in the NFL with 26.9 points allowed per game, Cleveland needs to keep scoring.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Buccaneers vs. Browns?