Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns odds, picks and prediction

Ken Pomponio

Sportsbook Wire

Two sliding and injury-riddled 3-3 teams meet Thursday night as the Denver Broncos visit the Cleveland Browns. Kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. Below, we look at the Broncos vs. Browns odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.

Headlining the game's long list of injuries, Case Keenum will start for injured Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is out with a torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder. It will be Keenum's first start since Week 17 of the 2019 season with Washington, and it will be the Browns' first game without Mayfield starting since Week 3 of the 2018 season when the then-rookie quarterback replaced injured starter Tyrod Taylor during the contest.

Among others, Cleveland also will without its top two running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt and rookie linebacker/leading tackler Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Meanwhile Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater is expected to play at less than 100 percent with a foot injury suffered Sunday, and the team will be without linebacker/second-leading tackler Alexander Johnson and top wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who still is not quite ready to return from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1.

Broncos at Browns odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated 7:10 a.m. ET.

Money line: Broncos +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Browns -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Browns -1.5 (-105) | Broncos +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 40.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Watch Thursday Night Football on Amazon with a Prime Membership. Viewers can watch tonight's game with an Amazon Fire TV product.Get yours now!

Broncos at Browns key injuries

Broncos

QB Teddy Bridgewater (foot, quadriceps) questionable
OT Garett Bolles (knee) questionable

Browns

RB Nick Chubb (calf) out
RB Kareem Hunt (calf) out
QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) out
WR Jarvis Landry (knee) questionable
OT Jack Conklin (knee) questionable
OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (ankle) questionable
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder) questionable

Broncos at Browns odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Browns 20, Broncos 17

Money line

With not much value on a spread that's less than a field goal, this is where you would take the Broncos (+102) if you believe the Browns' myriad injuries will be too much to overcome. But it's a PASS here with a more attractive spread price on Browns.

Against the spread

The Browns' health situation has knocked the line down more than 3.5 points in some spots and makes this one of the tougher games of the week to forecast. But Keenum has had his most pro success (12-4 as a starter) playing for Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in 2017 when the latter served as the Vikings' quarterbacks coach, and he likely is an upgrade here over a tough and willing but clearly compromised Mayfield. Meanwhile, Myles Garrett and the Browns' defense (second in the league in QB pressure rate) vs. the Broncos' offense (most QB pressure surrendered per dropback) shapes up as a huge mismatch. Consider nothing more than a small-unit play on the BROWNS -1.5 (115) laying less than a field goal.

Over/Under

It's the lowest total on the board by two points this week, but with two better-than-average defenses going against two beat-up and worse-than-average offenses, the UNDER 40.5(-105) is still the play here.

Also see:All Week 7 odds and lines

If you're looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @kenpomp on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Access more NFL coverage:

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).