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The Cleveland Browns (0-1) and Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) meet for a Week 2 game Sunday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Browns vs. Jaguars odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Browns were clubbed at home by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, falling 33-17. And, to be honest, it wasn’t even that close, but a late, meaningless score made the final look closer. Cleveland had a minus-2 turnover ratio, and it committed 11 penalties for 64 yards.
In addition, QB Deshaun Watson was tentative, and the Browns managed just 2.7 yards per pass, totaling 137 yards through the air. The team was just 2 of 15 on 3rd-down efficiency, too. Special teams were leaky, as well, with Cowboys WR KaVontae Turpin returning a 60-yard punt for a TD.
The Jaguars had a much better effort, falling 20-17 at the Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville earned the cover at most shops as a 3.5-point underdog. The Jags probably should have won the game outright. They led 17-7 at halftime, and 17-14 after 3 quarters despite an 80-yard TD allowed to Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill.
However, RB Travis Etienne had a costly fumble into the end zone, and the Dolphins scored 6 points in the final 4:22, including a 52-yard Jason Sanders field goal at the buzzer, to escape.
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Browns at Jaguars odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Browns +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Jaguars -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Browns +3 (-115) | Jaguars -3 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Browns at Jaguars key injuries
Browns
- OT Jack Conklin (knee) questionable
- TE David Njoku (ankle) out
- OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) out
Jaguars
- DB Darnell Savage (quadriceps) out
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Browns at Jaguars picks and predictions
Prediction
Jaguars 23, Browns 17
Moneyline
The JAGUARS (-160) aren’t a bad play straight up as a moderate favorite in what should be a pretty close battle.
These 2 AFC postseason hopefuls are trying to avoid slipping into an 0-2 hole to start the season, so expect quite the fight.
Still, the Browns (+135) were much less impressive, and they lost Njoku to a high-ankle sprain last week, and he is a vital part of the offense for short-to-intermediate routes. TE Jordan Akins is expected to start in his absence, and that moves the needle none.
Against the spread
If you’re a little more traditional, backing the JAGUARS -3 (-110) instead of the moneyline is a good bet. Jacksonville will face a stiff test from the Browns +3 (-110) defense, but it’s uncertain if Cleveland will be able to hang offensively. Watson was tentative, almost playing scared, and the run game wasn’t very good. Cleveland has a lot to clean up if it is going to cover. Don’t count on it.
Over/Under
UNDER 41.5 (-110) is worth playing lightly, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Jaguars went Under last week in South Florida despite allowing 400 total yards to the Dolphins. Jacksonville managed just 267 total yards, and it should find it to be tough sledding against a very good Cleveland D this week.
For the Browns, the offense was pathetic, and the defense was very good. We’ve seen this movie from them plenty in the recent past, and it leads to many Under results. It needs to clean up special teams, though, so as not to spoil the effort of the defense in the blink of an eye.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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