The last week of football before the regular season has arrived, and the Cleveland Browns will host the Los Angeles Rams for their final preseason outing.
The Browns are point spread favorites (-6.5) over Los Angeles at home, and oddsmakers are expecting a relatively high-scoring outing for a preseason game, with the over/under hovering at 39.5 points.
Can Cleveland carry some positive momentum into the regular season by winning its third consecutive preseason game?
Rams vs. Browns Predictions and best bets
Under 39.5 points:-105 odds at Caesars Sportsbook
Cleveland Browns -6.5:-110 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook
Under 39.5 points
Thus far, the Cleveland Browns have been rock-solid defensively, holding their opponents to 11.5 points and 169.5 total yards per game.
Most notably, the Browns dominated the trenches against Philadelphia, a run-heavy team, holding it to 33 rushing yards on 19 attempts.
While the Panthers had more success in the air than Philly, they also struggled to gain any traction on the ground, rushing for just 40 yards. I like the under here.
Cleveland Browns -6.5
It is impossible to ignore the Browns’ defense so far, particularly in the trenches, where neither of their first two opponents eclipsed 40 rushing yards.
No, that is not a typo: the Eagles and Panthers failed to record more than 40 rushing yards.
The Rams have run the ball better than each of Cleveland’s first two opponents, but this interior dominance should help Cleveland separate in this game.
Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will also be duking it out for QB2. That is still a crucial role entering the season, as Flacco is 40 years old and could serve more as a placeholder for now.
Rams vs. Browns moneyline odds analysis
Why the Browns could win as the favorite
Best odds:-275 at BetMGM Sportsbook
Cleveland has been utterly dominant in this preseason, winning convincingly in each of its first two games. Therefore, the Browns being heavy moneyline odds favorites at home is unsurprising.
The Browns destroyed Carolina by 20 points and then held off the defending champs on the road, closing out a nine-point victory over the Eagles.
Defensively, Cleveland has looked like a cohesive unit. Sure, it is the preseason, but that side of the football has been notable.
On the other side of the ball, the Browns have had quite a bit of success, too.
Even though Flacco has been named the starting QB, there is still a battle underway for QB2, which could determine who eventually gets snaps later this season.
Why the Rams could win as the underdog
Best odds:+240 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Like the Browns, Los Angeles strolls into this game without defeat, securing victories against the Dallas Cowboys and LA Chargers.
But unlike Cleveland’s first two opponents, the Rams have been tremendous on the ground behind Blake Corum, Cody Schrader, and Jarquez Hunter.
Stetson Bennett has also spun the ball surprisingly well, hitting triple-digit QB ratings in both of his two outings.
The Rams can win on the road if their defense plays better and the offense continues to stay hot.
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