Looking at a matchup between the defending Super Bowl champions and a perennial league bottom-feeder, you wouldn’t think that the latter would be better positioned at quarterback heading into their Week 3 pre-season encounter Thursday. And yet, that’s where we are as the Eagles visit Cleveland looking to atone for last week’s 37-20 clunker against the New England Patriots.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Eagles haven’t looked good at all so far in the pre-season – and oddsmakers are taking notice, moving the line on this one from as low at -1.5 in some spots to as low as -4.5. Philly has failed to cover in four of its previous six exhibition games following a red-hot stretch of 10 covers in an 11-game stretch. The Browns’ failure to cover last time out against the Bills ended a streak of five consecutive conversions dating back to the beginning of the 2017 pre-season.

The total has dipped one point from an opening of 42.5 – and given how the Browns have fared in recent pre-seasons, there could be plenty of action on the under. Cleveland has been a truly remarkable under play, going below the total 11 times with one push in its previous 12 exhibition contests – and only one of those games had a total this high. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has converted the over in three of its previous four pre-season games.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles probably wouldn’t mind having Nate Sudfeld see the majority of the snaps in this one if it were more out of preference rather than necessity. But with injuries to Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, Philadelphia is quickly running out of options. Look for Sudfeld to play the majority of the game after throwing for 312 yards in the loss to the Patriots. The Eagles will also look to shore up their defence, having allowed 68 points through two pre-season games.

Cleveland Browns

While the Eagles try to figure out who will be healthy enough to start Week 1, the Browns find themselves in a far different position – choosing between a versatile veteran and the No. 1 pick in the draft. Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield will both see action against the Eagles as they resume their battle to be the Week 1 starter. Taylor is thought to have the inside track, but Mayfield still has two games to show why he’s worthy of the starting role.

Eagles vs. Browns Prediction