Two teams with some chaos at the quarterback position clash in Cleveland on Sunday. The Browns inked Deshaun Watson to the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history, knowing that he faced a lengthy suspension, but the Browns have struggled on both sides of the ball all season long and are just 2-2 in the four games he has started. The Commanders are still in the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC, but they are turning back to Carson Wentz at quarterback after Taylor Heinicke has guided the team to an 0-2-1 mark in their last three contests. Check out our NFL betting preview of this New Year’s Day collision.
NFL Preview: Washington Commanders at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, January 1)
When: Sunday, January 1, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
TV: FOX
Radio: WBIG 100.3 FM Washington / ESPN 850 AM Cleveland
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Cleveland +1 / O/U 40.5 // Cleveland +110 / Washington -130
Why should you bet on the Commanders?
Wentz returned to the field last week, performing mop-up duty in the fourth quarter of a big loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He threw the ball well and even led a touchdown drive, but that was during garbage time. The Commanders only score 19 points per game, which is not going to be enough for a playoff contender, but their rush-pass balance has been steady all season long.
Defense is not an issue for the Commanders, who are fourth in the league in fewest yards permitted per game (313) and seventh against the pass (199 yards per game). They only permit 20.9 points per game (12th), despite the fact that they rank 29th in turnovers forced (14). They are tough in their front seven and get after opposing quarterbacks. If you like Washington, you see them stopping Chubb, bottling up Watson – and scoring against a Cleveland defense that can be tough.
Why should you put your money on the Browns?
Running the Cleveland offense has not been easy for Watson yet, as the team has split their four games, but they have only scored more than 20 points one time. The ground continues to be the best bet for Cleveland, as Nick Chubb has run for 1,344 yards and a dozen touchdowns, and the Browns average 147.3 rushing yards per game, good for fifth overall.
On defense, the Browns should be a dominant unit, at least on paper, so you have to wonder how long it will be before they make a change at coordinator. The Browns permit 22.9 points per game (21th in the NFL), and they rank eighth against the pass, The points per game permitted wouldn’t be such a problem if the Browns could move the ball, but Cleveland could also do better on red zone defense. They have not pressured passers despite the presence of Myles Garrett on the D-line. I do think they will get to Wentz, who holds onto the ball too long, trying to force plays – and turning the ball over.
Final Score and Prediction
I don’t see a lot of scoring going on this game, as both defenses hold serve and make touchdowns rare. I see Wentz melting down before Watson, though, so I see Cleveland pulling away with this one late. I predict a final score of Cleveland 19, Washington 13.
NFL Betting Odds
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