Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans: Spread Analysis and Pick Prediction

Are the Cleveland Browns playoff contenders? More importantly, are they good bets? Even though they are 1-2 SU, the Browns are also 2-1 against the spread this season, and hot with Brian Hoyer at quarterback. Cleveland shoots for the .500 mark when it visits 1-3 Tennessee Sunday afternoon.

Point spread: Titans opened as 2.5-point favorites; the total was 43.5 (Line updates and matchup report).

Odds Shark computer prediction: 16.9-16.3 Titans

Why the Browns can cover the spread

The Browns are 1-2 SU but 2-1 ATS, as their two losses have come by a total of five points. Cleveland rallied to tie Pittsburgh late before falling 30-27 but covering as five-point dogs. The Browns then upset New Orleans 26-24 as four-point home dogs, and two weeks ago they lost to Baltimore on another late field goal 23-21. Statistically speaking Cleveland doesn't stand out, although it does rank 11th in rushing at 130 yards per game.

And while the defense ranks 30th at the moment, it ranked ninth overall last year, so improvement is expected. In six starts for the Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer owns an 8-3 TD-INT ratio; Cleveland is 4-2 SU, 5-1 ATS in those six games.

Why the Titans can cover the spread

The Titans opened this season with a solid win at Kansas City, which looks even better after what the Chiefs did to New England Monday night. Tennessee has struggled since then, though, and had to play last week without starting quarterback Jake Locker, who's dealing with a wrist injury.

The Titans can run the ball a bit, to the tune of 120 yards per game so far, and the defense is respectable, ranking 16th overall. If it can cut down on the turnovers—seven through its last three games, all losses— and take advantage of a Cleveland defense that's allowed 154 yards per game on the ground so far, it will have a chance in this one.

Smart Pick

The Browns have more than held their own against three expected playoff contenders so far. Realistically, this is a game Cleveland should win. Tennessee, meanwhile, might again be without Locker. And the Titans are 0-6 in their last six spots as home dogs. So the pick here is with the Browns.

Trends

• The total has gone OVER in four of Cleveland's last six games when playing Tennessee
• Tennessee is 1-7-1 ATS in its last nine games

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark - follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.