NFL Best Bets for Thursday Night Football: Broncos vs. Browns
The Browns started the season hot, taking the Chiefs to the end of the game and then winning three straight games. They are starting to look less and less like real contenders in the AFC and more like the Browns of old. Perhaps it is because of injury - looking at their injury report, they have Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and David Njoku out or injured, and now Baker Mayfield will not start due to injury. That's basically their entire offense. Now, Case Keenum will be under center for the Browns.
Keenum was starting in 2019 for the Washington Football Team and played 10 games throwing 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He isn't one of the best backups in the league, and without the skill players, he will really struggle against a tough Denver defense. To me, the first play I have in this one is to take the Broncos at +118. There are just too many injuries to overcome on offense for the Browns to win this game.
The Broncos have been decent this year, coming in with a 3-3 record. But, they won their first three games against teams that are a combined 3-14. Teddy Bridgewater is doing well on yet another new team. The best way to beat the Browns is through the air. This year, Bridgewater is averaging 263 yards per game. The Browns are allowing 243 yards to opponents. The Broncos pass about 60% of the time. I like Bridgewater to go over his passing total of 229.5 yards at -114.
The last play I have is the Browns to score a field goal as their first score of the game. This is a play at +105. Keenum is likely to make some progress against the Broncos, but I don't think he will finish the job, unfortunately. The Browns will be relying on the defense to keep them in the game and want to take any points they can get. I like their first score to be a field goal.