NFL Football Betting: Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns

The Los Angeles Rams are the favorites to win the NFC after their first two games per the NFL futures odds. They are the only team in the conference with odds of less than 10-1 to win the Super Bowl, and the Rams are out to run their record to 3-0 this week. The Rams will return to where their franchise was founded to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football.

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
LINE: RAMS -3.5
TOTAL: 47

There has been some moderate action on the visitors ahead of this game. The Rams were originally a 2.5-point road favorite per the football betting odds, but that line rose to 3 during the week and hit 3.5 points on Friday. We’ve seen even more movement on the total too as the opening number of 51 was way too high. The over/under has since fallen four points and could fall even further before kickoff.

INJURY REPORT

This is not a good situation for Cleveland. The Browns are on short rest, and they are currently racked by injuries. Quarterback Drew Stanton, tight end David Njoku, and linebacker Christian Kirksey have been placed on injured reserve and safety Damarious Randall and offensive tackle Kendall Lamm have been ruled out for this game.

Defensive end Chris Smith, wide receiver Rashard Higgins, safeties Sheldrick Redwine and Morgan Burnett, cornerbacks Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward, linebacker Adarius Taylor, and offensive tackle Chris Hubbard are all listed as questionable for the hosts.

The Rams don’t have nearly as many injuries to report, but they could be without their best player. Tight end Tyler Higbee is out, center Austin Blythe is questionable, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is questionable as well with a back injury. Sean McVay has indicated that Donald should play, but back injuries are tricky and the team would rather be safe than sorry with the best defensive player in the league.

WHEN CLEVELAND IS ON OFFENSE

This Browns offense has not been as explosive as we all thought it would be in 2019. Cleveland has scored just 36 points this season, and Baker Mayfield’s turnover woes have been a major concern.

Mayfield has thrown four interceptions already this season, and he could be in the middle of a sophomore slump. His offensive line hasn’t been helping matters by allowing the mobile Mayfield to be sacked eight times, but he has made some poor decisions with the ball.

However, good things have largely happened when Mayfield has thrown the ball to Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ has always shined under the spotlight, and he was excellent on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets last week. He has 13 catches for 232 yards and a score, and his NFL player props for this game could be worth betting given how well he performs on national television.

Nick Chubb has improved as a pass catcher out of the backfield, and he has put up decent rushing numbers given the caliber of the two defenses he has faced. He could have a big day on the ground if Donald is out or his movement is limited, so keep that in mind for in-game betting options.

WHEN LOS ANGELES IS ON OFFENSE

The Rams have run the ball very well thus far in 2019. Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown have been an excellent one-two punch with both players averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and that has helped this team close out games in their first two weeks. It’s also helped Jared Goff succeed on play action, which is important for this team’s success.

Goff is off to a decent start this year, but the Rams are hoping for more out of their franchise quarterback after locking him up to a massive extension. He is averaging just seven yards per pass attempt this season despite having a trio of great receivers in Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp.

Woods and Kupp have been the most targeted players this season, while Cooks is one of the best deep threats in the league due to his top end speed. Given the injuries to Cleveland’s secondary, all three of these receivers could have big games on Sunday.

PREDICTION

Cleveland’s stadium is going to be rocking for a rare night game, but the Browns have been decimated by injuries. There are major holes along the offensive line and in the secondary, and those are two position groups that need to be healthy when facing the Rams. The movement on the football betting odds has been right on, and I expect the Rams to get the cover on the road.

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