ProFootballDoc: Does Cleveland Have Any Offensive Firepower Left?

Injury impact analysis has led us to the documented Sunday record of 19-11 so far this season.

Although both squads have plenty of injury issues, there seems to be a health mismatch tonight again as the Broncos travel to play the Browns for Thursday Night Football.

DENVER +1.5 @ CLEVELAND




The Browns offense SIC score of 41.9 is about the lowest that we have seen. That makes sense given that eight top starters are out or dealing with injury issues. QB, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, LT, RT and C are all on the list. Baker Mayfield has been declared out but will be back next week. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are both out as expected. Odell Beckham, Jr. has a grade 3 (severe) AC joint sprain and has not practiced all week but will try to play with an injection. Jarvis Landry is unlikely to be activated for this week coming off knee MCL sprain. Three out of the five offensive linemen are dealing with injury issues. 

The only positive news for Cleveland is that three of the four Denver starting linebackers are out; however, the one healthy one is Von Miller. Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater took 17 hits just four days ago and is listed as questionable with foot and quad issues but should play through the soreness. Jerry Jeudy is on the verge of return but not this week. Courtland Sutton has progressed well coming off ACL tear and his individual SIC score is about to break 90.

Overall, the Broncos are 18.4 points healthier on SIC score than the Browns. The line started at 6, moved earlier this week to 4.5, and now has dropped to 1.5 at FanDuel on the news that Mayfield is out. The total has also dropped to 40.5. The injury scale says Denver and leans under, but the public may have already reacted. The power of the Field View and SIC score is to identify hidden health advantages. Most of the Cleveland issues are very public in nature and has the line resetting. Also don't forget, the last time Case Keenum started for a Kevin Stefanski offense, he came in for Sam Bradford and won the division with a 13-3 record.



Use the interactive Field View, SIC score and info at www.profootballdoc.com to make your best wagering/DFS/fantasy decisions.

SIC Score is our proprietary numerical injury grading system that incorporates the health of every NFL team and individual player to give sports bettors, DFS players and fantasy owners an edge each week during the season. While it purposely disregards coaching, schemes and matchups, SIC Scores give an accurate assessment of team/player overall health heading into a game.

Written by
David Chao, MD -- known digitally as Pro Football Doc -- is an expert contributor for Outkick. Chao spent 17 seasons as the team doctor for the San Diego Chargers (1997-2013) and is part of the medical team at OASIS in San Diego where he treats and specializes in orthopedic sports injuries, working with high-profile professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB.