After COVID-19 upended the NFL schedule in Week 15, hopefully things will improve for Week 16. We have games being Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which makes for an interesting week.
One game with playoff implications features the Green Bay Packers hosting the Cleveland Browns on Christmas Day. Let’s break down this matchup and discuss which sides of the spread and total to consider.
Browns vs Packers Prediction
It was a rough week for the Browns, who had their game against the Raiders moved from Saturday to Monday because of an outbreak of COVID-19.
The two extra days didn’t help them much, though, as it didn’t leave enough time for either quarterbacks Baker Mayfield or Case Keenum to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
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Even with those two out, the Browns almost pulled out the win with Nick Mullens at the helm. Mullens threw for 147 yards and a touchdown, while running back Nick Chubb added a score on the ground. It wasn’t enough, though, with the Raiders kicking the game-winning field goal as time expired.
The Packers played in a close contest of their own in Week 15, pulling out a one-point win over the Ravens in Baltimore. The Ravens scored a touchdown in the final minute but decided to go for two instead of kicking the extra point to try and force overtime. They couldn’t convert the attempt, which helped Aaron Rodgers and company squeak out the victory.
This is a quick turnaround for the Browns, going from playing on Monday to playing again Saturday. They will hopefully get some players back from the COVID list, but with the Packers sporting a 6-0 record at home, it’s going to be difficult for them to earn a victory.
Prediction: Packers 27, Browns 17
Packers vs Browns Best Bets
Best Bet: Packers -7.5 (-105) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
Not only are the Packers 6-0 straight up at home this season, but they are 6-0 at Lambeau Field against the spread. They have won each of their last three home games by at least eight points, and they have won five of their six home games by at least that same margin.
The Browns’ quick turnaround from Monday to Saturday might make it difficult to help them get more players activated from the COVID list, although they should at least get one of the duo of Mayfield and Keenum back.
That being said, keeping this game close might be a tall order with how well the Packers have played at home.
Best Bet: Under 45.5 Total Points (-110) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
The Browns have been involved in a lot of low-scoring affairs. In three of their last four games, they’ve combined with their opponent to score 30 or fewer points. For the season, they have had six games in which their combined game total was under 40 points.
Even with Rodgers at the helm, the Packers have been involved in several low-scoring games this season. In fact, seven of their games have ended in a combined total of 44 points or fewer. With the expectation that the Browns struggle offensively, the under could be the way to go here.
Mike Barner’s season record: 17-25-1 (-10.43 units)
Thank you for reading our NFL Week 16 Packers vs Browns Predictions! For more NFL betting tips, check out our Week 16 Parlay Predictions.