The AFC North meets the AFC South when the Indianapolis Colts welcome the Cleveland Browns to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Cleveland is coming off an upset victory to improve its record to 3-2. Indianapolis continued to find ways to lose games in Florida and was defeated by the Jacksonville Jaguars to even out its record to 3-3.
The Browns are a short favorite, and the 39-point total suggests a low-scoring affair on Sunday. We have three bets and an SGP pick for you to consider for the Browns vs Colts on Sunday, Oct 22.
Browns vs Colts Odds
NFL odds used for this Cleveland vs Indianapolis preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Wednesday, October 18 at 8:38 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Browns (-130) • Colts (+110)
- Spread: Browns -2 (-110) • Colts +2 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 39 (-112) • Under 39 (-108)
- Implied Score: Browns 21.5, Colts 17.5
Browns vs Colts Predictions
Score Pick: Colts 21, Browns 17
Sunday’s matchup is going to be difficult. Indianapolis opened as a +3 underdog, but that number is +2 at DraftKings, and the move is probably a reaction to the Browns quarterback situation. Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson hasn’t played in nearly a month, and his status for Sunday is up in the air.
The Cleveland defense has been spectacular. They held the San Francisco 49ers to 17 points and opened their season by holding the Cincinnati Bengals to three points. Both games were played in miserable conditions, but Sunday’s contest is indoors, and that will be the difference in this contest.
Colts reserve quarterback Gardner Minshew is capable, and the Colts are coming off a tough loss to Jacksonville. Zack Moss and Jonathan Taylor‘s two-pronged rushing and capable passing attacks should be enough to score points on a great defense that has benefitted more from the weather than many believe.
Finally, the Cleveland offense is mediocre. While their ground game is still strong, the offensive line is banged up, and Browns QB P.J. Walker doesn’t have enough offensive weapons to outscore Indianapolis. I like the Colts to win this game 21-17.
Browns vs Colts Best Bets & Props
Colts (+110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
For my NFL Bet of the Day, I like the Colts in a bounce-back spot over the Browns on Sunday. Indianapolis opened +130, and by Tuesday evening, that number was bet down to +110. We lost the best number, but there is still value in +110, and we’ll chase the steam and roll with Indianapolis.
The Colts defense played fairly well last week in Jacksonville, and they face an injury-riddled Browns offense they can slow down on the ground and stymie through the air. Cleveland will get the stops, but not enough for the Colts offense to outscore a mediocre Browns offense.
Colts 3-Way ML (+110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
This is essentially the same bet as our NFL Bet of the Day. This wager wins if the Colts are victorious but loses if the Browns win or the game ends in a tie. DraftKings should give us a better price for this wager, so shop around and play the better number once they become more widely available.
The Colts defense allowed 21 second-quarter points but held a solid Jags offense to 37 points outside of that. Cleveland doesn’t have much in the way of a consistent offense, and I expect Indy to ground, pound, and wear down the Browns’ defense just enough to outscore them and win this game.
Colts +2 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
This bet actually complements our other two wagers. We’ll continue to steam chase, follow the movement from +3 points to +2, and choose Indianapolis to cover the spread.
The Browns are 0-1 on the road, allowing 26 points to a lousy Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Watson played in that game and couldn’t lead the team to a victory after Browns RB Nick Chubb blew out his knee. The Colts defense isn’t as bad as it looks on paper, and that defensive group should get enough stops to win and, of course, cover our +2 point wager.
Browns vs Colts Same Game Parlay
Browns vs Colts SGP (+226)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.10 units
- Colts (+110)
- Browns Under 19.5 (+105)
- Colts Race to 10 Points (+100)
This card has three selections with (+) odds and should pay +860 to win, but the SGP works much differently, and if you can find better odds somewhere else, please do.
The Browns offense isn’t easy to trust with or without Watson under center, and their offensive line is banged up. That will help fuel the Colts’ victory and keep Cleveland from scoring more than 19.5 points.
The race to 10 points works nicely because I’m not all that sure the Browns offense will score 10 points. Their offense is a mess, and Minshew and his Colts will be looking to put points on the board after last week’s miscues and could catch the Browns defense still rejoicing over last week’s upset of the 49ers.
