Inconsistent Browns Host Struggling Raiders

It’s been more than two months since Cleveland (7-6 SU, 5-8 ATS) won two consecutive games. The Browns are favored to win their second straight this week when they host the Raiders (6-7, 5-8), but Vegas has won the last three meetings — including a 16-6 decision last year in Cleveland.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Browns had been bet up to 6-point favorites by Monday night, a point spread range in which they’ve been a risky team to back. Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last five games as a favorite of 6 points or more. Meanwhile, with both teams’ offenses sputtering of late, the total quickly dropped to 42.5.

Las Vegas News & Notes

Vegas sits just one game out of a wild-card spot, but it sure doesn’t feel like that right now. The Raiders have lost five of six games since their 5-1 SU start, with an inexplicable overtime win over Dallas on Thanksgiving Day their lone cover during that stretch.

Last week in Kansas City may have been rock-bottom as Vegas allowed a defensive touchdown on its first play from scrimmage and turned the ball over five times in a 48-9 loss, their second-most lopsided regular-season defeat in 60 years.

“We knew that we were trying to make this playoff run,” linebacker K.J. Wright told the Associated Press, “and for us to come out and put up the performance we did, it was embarrassing to me.”

Vegas has major issues on both sides of the ball, giving up at least 32 points in four of its last five games and failing to score 17 points in five of its last six. Things could have been even worse if not for receiver Hunter Renfrow, who enters this week’s action with a franchise-record three straight games with at least eight catches and 100 yards.

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Cleveland News & Notes

The Browns played their third straight nail-biter last week against Baltimore, edging the Ravens 24-22 for a much-needed victory in the tight AFC North race. Cleveland appeared to have the game well in hand at halftime, but failed to score a point in the second half as the Ravens finished the game with 19 unanswered points.

Stumbling to the finish line was nothing new for the Browns, who have scored just seven fourth-quarter points in their last eight games combined.

“The point is to win a football game,” quarterback Baker Mayfield told the Associated Press, shrugging off the offense’s late-game struggles. “If you have more points than the other team, then you have accomplished your goal.”

Cleveland has scored more than 24 points just once in its last seven games, and the Browns may be without one of their top weapons if running back Kareem Hunt isn’t able to recover from an ankle injury that forced him out of the game against Baltimore. The Browns’ recent scoring issues include special teams, where kicker Chase McLaughlin has missed five field goals in his last seven outings.

How Las Vegas Will Cover