Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Redskins Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Washington Redskins (1-2) earned their first win last week on the road and will be going for their first victory at home on Sunday, when they host the Cleveland Browns (0-3). The Redskins lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys in their first two home games but upset the New York Giants 29-27 last week as 3.5-point road underdogs. 

Point spread: The Redskins opened as 6.5-point favorites, and the total was 45.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 33.5-11.4, Redskins (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Browns can cover the spread

Despite being winless, Cleveland showed some fight and still managed to cover the spread last Sunday in a 30-24 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins on the road. The team was a 9.5-point underdog in that game and is in a similar spot here, although the favorite is 0-3 against the spread in the past three meetings, according to the Odds Shark NFL Database.

Washington has also failed to cover seven straight as a favorite, so the Browns have that going for them as well, which is nice.

Why the Redskins can cover the spread

The Redskins hope that win over the Giants has finally gotten the monkey off their back as the defending NFC East champions, so they can finally relax a bit without so much pressure. Of course, losing to Cleveland would put them two steps back again, but this opponent is not nearly as dangerous as the Pittsburgh and Dallas teams Washington faced before them.

While the Browns covered at Miami, they remain an unpredictable squad, and one that will find it difficult to play that well in consecutive weeks away from home.

Smart pick

Do not get scared off by Washington's terrible trend as a favorite, because Cleveland is arguably the worst team in the NFL. The Browns have lost their last seven road games, going 2-5 ATS during that stretch.

The Redskins are a much closer team than they were the last time they played at home, as winning is obviously the best remedy for losing. Look for Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins to shred Cleveland's defense and make bettors remember how good his team was at the end of last year with an easy cover.

Betting trends

The favored team is 0-3 ATS in its last three games in this matchup.

The Redskins are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games after winning as an underdog.

The Browns are 0-7 SU and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games on the road.

All NFL betting lines and point-spread data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds-tracker app.