Chargers vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Week 9 Odds, Prediction
The Cleveland Browns shocked Baltimore at home last week, dumping the Ravens 29-24 for their second win of the year. The Chargers looked great in 26-8 victory over New Orleans last week, but L.A.’s 4-3 record will make it difficult to catch the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
The Chargers opened as 2.5-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 42.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It’s been all Los Angeles is recent head-to-head action as the Bolts have won four straight matchups, with the last three hitting the Over.
Both teams have played low scoring games early in the season. The Chargers have played the Under in six of seven games while the Browns have gone Under in five of eight. L.A. has a penchant for grinding out low scoring wins, with the total going Under in 12 of their last 13 games as a favourite.
While the Chargers are 4-3 against the spread in 2024, keep in mind they have failed to cover in four of their last six games against AFC North opponents. Conversely, Cleveland is just 3-5 ATS this season, but they have covered in 12 of their last 17 home dates.
Los Angeles Chargers
L.A. took the lead early in the second quarter against New Orleans last week and they never trailed the rest of the game. Justin Herbert completed 20 of 32 pass attempts for 279 yards and two TDs. Ladd McConkey caught both TD passes and finished with a career-high 111 receiving yards. It was a huge offensive outburst for the rookie receiver who entered last week averaging 44.2 receiving yards per game.
As dangerous as Herbert and the offence can be, the Chargers’ backbone this season has been their top-five ranked defence. The defensive unit ranks eighth in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (305.4), ninth in passing yards allowed (193.4) and first in points allowed (13.0). That spells trouble against a suspect Cleveland offence.
Cleveland Browns
With Deshaun Watson’s season over due to injury, this is Jameis Winston’s team for the foreseeable future. Making his first start in more than two years, Winston made an immediate impact last week, throwing for 334 yards and three TDs. Cedric Tillman hauled in two TD catches and finished with a team-high 99 receiving yards, while four different players finished with at least five receptions and over 60 receiving yards.
One major concern for the Browns right now is No. 1 running back Nick Chubb, who has played two games this season after missing nearly all of last year with a torn MCL and damaged ACL. Chubb has 74 total rushing yards on 27 carries, failing to break the 60-yard mark in either game. He’s averaging just 2.74 yards per carry and it’s hard to see him breaking out against L.A.’s stingy defence.
LAC
CLE