Vikings vs. Browns Prediction
Will the Minnesota Vikings be able to cover a nearly double-digit spread when it takes on the Cleveland Browns Sunday morning at 9:30AM ET from London?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Minnesota is favored in this game, as the Vikings are getting odds of -9.5 points against the Browns. The over/under total for the game has been set at 38 points. Minnesota has won four of the last five meetings in this series and the Vikings have covered the spread in three of the last four meetings. The public betting in this one has Minnesota getting 73 percent of the wagers. Sunday’s game takes place from Twickenham Stadium in London, England and will air live on the NFL Network.
Cleveland is coming off a 12-9 loss to the Titans at home in OT last week to fall to 0-7 on the season. The Browns are 2-5 against the spread, with both covers coming in Cleveland. The Browns are struggling on offense, averaging just 14.7 points and 321.3 yards per game. The team has been rotating quarterbacks lately but DeShone Kizer will get the start on Sunday. He has thrown for 965 yards and three touchdowns with 11 interceptions in his rookie season. Isaiah Crowell is the leading rusher with 287 yards while Duke Johnson Jr. has 32 catches for 314 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Cleveland is allowing 24.1 points and 319 yards per game. The unit will once again be without top pick Myles Garrett, who is dealing with a concussion.
The Vikings have won three straight coming into this week, including a 24-16 win over the Ravens last week to improve to 5-2 on the season. Minnesota is 4-3 against the spread on the season but 0-2 ATS on the road. Minnesota has a defense that is allowing just 17 points and 304.9 yards per game. Minnesota is holding opposing run games to just 76.6 yards per game. The unit is being led by Everson Griffen, who has nine sacks. Offensively, Minnesota is putting up 20.9 points and 368 yards per contest. Case Keenum gets another start this week for the injured Sam Bradford. He has thrown for 1,322 yards and five touchdowns and two interceptions. Adam Thielen is the leading receiver with 43 catches for 529 yards. Stefon Diggs has dealt with a groin injury the last few weeks but is expected to play on Sunday.
It’s hard to be excited about this matchup for the Browns. Kizer has really struggled and will now be facing one of the best defense teams in the league. I can certainly see Minnesota putting points on the board on defense. The Vikings offense isn’t likely to overwhelm the Cleveland defense, which has been respectable this year, but Cleveland’s defense can’t overcome its own offense. I like the Vikings to win comfortably in London.
NFL WEEK 8 PREDICTION: MINNESOTA VIKINGS -9.5