New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns October 16 Betting Preview

New England Patriots

The Patriots are coming into this game following a dominant showing against the Detroit Lions, in which the Bellichick-coached team put up 29 points and pitched a shutout. More impressively, the Patriots did this with the 3rd string rookie quarterback under center, as Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer were both out.

Unfortunately for Patriots fans, it does not seem that Mac Jones will be available for this upcoming matchup, as well as running back Damien Harris, who is out with a hamstring injury.

The Patriots have been a solid team who haven't genuinely excelled in one area. In terms of total offense, the Patriots rank 17th in yards per game. They have not been great at scoring points, as they are barely inside the top 20 in the league in points per game.

On defense, the usually stout Bellichick defense has been right around league average but getting stops when they need to. The Patriots look to keep their defensive pressure on as they try to get a win on the road as the underdog.

Cleveland Browns

If you have been following the Browns this season, you're probably wondering how they have still been considered favorites in some of these matchups. After a frustrating loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last week, where everything went wrong at the right time, Kevin Stefanski has made it clear that the leash has been shortened.

He has called out the defense in his presser, pointing out the team and coaches for not getting the job done. The team was put on notice, as immediately following the Chargers' loss, the Browns traded for former pro-bowler and Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones.

This is a win for the Browns, who are seeking more veteran leadership from the linebacker unit and seem to be rolling out a red carpet for opposing running backs to find the endzone.

The offense has been up to par and doing enough to win games but has not completed a clutch end-of-game drive yet. Kicker Cade York blew two crucial field goals for the Browns and had many fans considering why the Browns spent a 4th round pick on him.

The Browns are 1-2 against the spread this season at home, and with this game favoring the Browns at (-148), the expectation is that Cade York will be able to make field goals against a Patriots team that bends but does not break.

This is a potential career-determining game for some Browns players and coaches. If York leaves easy points, he could be facing a potential kicking competition. Jacob Phillips seems to already have lost his job to the new addition in Jones.

The Browns' interior defensive line has been downright awful, and there is no one that's safe in that room. Grant Delpit and Denzel Ward's play this season could be comparable to a microwaved gas station burrito at this point.

Joe Woods might even be unemployed come Monday morning.

This is a must-win game for the Browns, and they must figure it out and get the job done.

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