Two winless teams will take to the field of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in Week 3 when the Colts host the Browns. Most of NFL odds boards are now hanging a pick’em on this game after it opened with Cleveland a -1 point spread favorite. The total line is offered up at 40.5 points.
Cleveland fell to 0-2 with a 24-10 loss to Baltimore last week. It was a rough day for rookie QB DeShone Kizer as he went 15-31 for 182 yards and 3 interceptions. He was also sacked twice and lost a fumble and was replaced by QB Kevin Hogan. Newly-activated WR Rashard Higgins was a bright spot as he hauled in 7 passes for 95 yards. The ground game produced 93 yards on 21 carries. The defense allowed 136 rushing yards as they continue to have difficulty defending opponent’s ground games. To be fair, one of the runs was for 37 yards but the Ravens ran the ball 32 times. The pass defense surrendered 201 yards but picked off a pass. The defense also recovered a fumble and had 2 sacks.
Indianapolis also dropped to 0-2 with a 16-13 OT home loss to Arizona last Sunday. Newly-acquired QB Jacoby Brissett made his first start for the Colts but as expected, delivered an uneven performance. Not surprising as he has been with the team for less than 2 weeks. He finished 20-37 for 216 yards. He threw a crushing interception and was sacked 4 times. The running game was held to 76 yards on 29 carries (2.6 ypc average). The defense played the run well (3.3 ypc on 25 attempts) and also accumulated 4 sacks. They had their troubles in pass defense as they gave up 306 net passing yards.
Cleveland at Indianapolis Betting Trends
- – Cleveland is 5-0 ATS as a road favorite coming off a SU loss.
- – The Browns have produced 6 overs and 2 unders in their last 8 road games.
- – Indianapolis is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games in September.
- – The Colts have recorded 1 over and 7 unders in their last 8 home games.
Injuries
Browns: The Browns lost arguably their best wide receiver in Week 2 when Corey Coleman went down with a hand injury. OLB Jamie Collins suffered a concussion last week and will have to pass through concussion protocol to play on Sunday.
Colts: QB Andrew Luck remains out. QB Jacoby Brissett should get his second straight start. ILB and FS missed last week and are questionable.
Public Money
The early money shows a small edge to the Colts with just over 55% of the point spread bets landing on Indy. The O/U action has been primarily on the UNDER with 71% of the wagers being placed on that side of the total.
Last Matchup
2014, Colts 25-24
