Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Betting Preview

The Cleveland Browns will stay at home in Week 3 as they host the Chicago Bears for an important matchup. Both teams come into this game with a record of 1-1, and this is a matchup of a pair of playoff teams from a season ago.

Chicago looked like a complete mess in a Week 1 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but they were able to get back on track in Week 2. The Bears picked up a 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field, and they looked much better on both sides of the ball.

Cleveland also picked up a win in Week 2, outlasting the Houston Texans for a 31-21 victory. The Browns nearly upset the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, but Cleveland can’t afford moral victories as they try to win the AFC North Division.

Betting Odds

The Cleveland Browns are seven-point favorites over the Chicago Bears in this matchup on Sunday.

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Bears Need Defense to Dominate

If the Bears are going to be back in the playoff this season, then it will be the defense that leads the way. Chicago had three interceptions in the Week 2 victory, and Roquan Smith returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown.

Running back David Montgomery has racked up 169 yards and one touchdown this season, and he continues to emerge as one of the best backs in the game. Rookie Justin Fields is expected to start at quarterback on Sunday as Andy Dalton is out with an injury.

Fields has plenty of talent and hype, but this will be a tough test against an aggressive Browns defense.

Browns Want to Run

Cleveland wants to run the football, and that strategy has served them well through the first two weeks of the season. Nick Chubb has rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns through two games, but he will be facing a Bears defense that defends the run well.

Baker Mayfield is 40-of-49 for 534 yards this season, but he just continues to make crucial mistakes at the wrong times. Mayfield has thrown just one touchdown to two interceptions, and the Browns can’t afford those mistakes in this one.

The Cleveland defense is allowing 27 points per game, but that unit is better than the numbers suggest. Keeping Fields in the pocket will be a key for this group on Sunday.

Browns Must Stop Fields

The Browns are clearly the more complete team in this matchup, but they are facing a Bears team that will be receiving a jolt. Chicago should have Justin Fields on the field for this game, and he has the potential to make some big plays for the Bears' offense.

Taking care of the ball will be a major key for the Browns on Sunday as that Bears defense has been known for creating turnovers. It will be up to Mayfield to deliver some big plays as well since Chicago can stop the run.

This is a great chance for Cleveland to pick up its second win of the season, but they will have to play well to get the job done.