The Cleveland Browns (2-1) come out looking for their third straight win to keep pace atop of a very competitive AFC North, when they travel to play the Minnesota Vikings (1-2) Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium. Below, we look at the Browns vs. Vikings odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
If not for blowing a 22-10 halftime lead in Week 1, the Browns would be 3-0. They’ve beaten lesser teams put in front of them and have been able to dominate on the ground to get a lead and then kill the clock.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins is playing some of the best football of his life. He has a passer rating of 90.0 or above in his last 17 games – the second-highest streak all-time behind only Peyton Manning (23). However, with RB Dalvin Cook still a question mark to play in Week 4, Minnesota’s offense will be counting on Cousins against one of the better defensive lines in the NFL.
A quiet side battle will be former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski coming back to his former home to coach against Mike Zimmer. Their relationship was sometimes contentious, so this could be a storyline during the game as they match wits.
Browns at Vikings odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Browns -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Vikings +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Browns -2.5 (-110) | Vikings +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Browns at Vikings key injuries
Browns
- CB Greg Newsome II (calf) out
- OT Chris Hubbard (triceps) out
- OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (ankle) questionable
- C JC Tretter (knee) questionable
Vikings
- RB Dalvin Cook (ankle) questionable
- LB Anthony Barr (knee) questionable
- DT Michael Pierce (elbow, shoulder) questionable
- CB Kris Boyd (hamstring) questionable
- WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (toe) out
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Browns at Vikings odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Browns 27, Vikings 24
Money line
This is a double-edged sword. Because the Browns are favored by just 2.5 points, most betting on Cleveland will avoid the money line and bet the point spread. However, you’re buying insurance for the potential of a 1- or 2-point margin of victory.
If betting the ML, the play is BROWNS (-130), but most bets will likely be heading Minnesota’s way.
Against the spread
For the same reason Minnesota will likely get more money lne action, the BROWNS -2.5 (-110) are likely going to dominate this side of the betting market simply because of the reduced investment.
Cleveland has the firepower to take a lead and unleash its most potent combination – a two-head rushing game and a fierce pass rush. The combination of those should be enough for the Browns to cover the modest spread, even on the road in front of a deafening crowd.
Over/Under
When both teams have offensive success, it comes from long drives – the Browns dominating with a run offense that can drain the clock and the Vikings with 10-play-plus drives mixing the run and the pass.
Cleveland’s pass rush will force Cousins to get rid of the ball early and that lends itself to long, clocking-killing drives that will make it more difficult than normal to not take UNDER 51.5 (-112).
NFL Week 4 picks and predictions
- Week 4 best bets
- Brady vs. Belichick Sunday Night Football specials
- Bet Slippin’ Podcast
- Underdog corner
- Prop bets payday
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