NFL Sportsbook – Browns Better Than Record Indicates

NFL sportsbook bettors know that the Cleveland Browns have probably played better than their record has indicated, though they may not be in the thick of the playoff hunt.

On Sunday they will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in an AFC game that is slated to get underway at 1 PM ET at EverBank Field (natural turf) in Jacksonville, FL. The Jags are very much in the race for the AFC South title, as well as the wild card. In the NFL sportsbook odds, they are a 1.5-point favorite, with the total on the game posted at 44 points.

BetOnline.com’s resident sports betting guru runs his mouth about Pacquiao, Vick and free money plays:

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? If so JOIN NOW.]

Cleveland Browns (3-6 SU, 4-5 ATS) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4 SU & ATS)

Live at EverBank Field

Jacksonville, FL

Sunday, November 21 — 1 PM ET

TV: CBS

NFL Sportsbook Odds:

Jacksonville -1.5

Cleveland +1.5

Total 44

Here are some of the trends as they impact the NFL sportsbook odds on this game:

• Cleveland has lost 17 of its last 25 games SU
• Cleveland has played six of its last seven games OVER the total
• Cleveland has played four of its last five road games OVER the total
• Cleveland has lost 12 of its last 15 road games SU
• Jacksonville has won four of its last six games SU
• Jacksonville has covered seven of its last 21 games
• Jacksonville has played five of its last six games OVER the total
• Jacksonville has played six of its last nine home games UNDER the total
• Jacksonville has won eight of its last 12 home games SU
• Jacksonville has covered six of its last 21 home games

Maybe you could classify Cleveland as snake-bitten. The Browns are only 4-5 ATS in the NFL sportsbook odds, but they have played well enough for their straight-up record to be 6-3 or even 7-2. They have been ahead in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Baltimore only to lose, and dropped a decision in overtime to the Jets last week. They have scored notable wins against the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.

The Jags come off like one of the luckiest teams on earth. They have been outscored by 54 points overall, but have also been fortunate enough to run into a winless team (Buffalo) as well as one that had quit on its coach (Dallas). Last week Mike Thomas caught a Hail Mary pass that had been batted down by a Houston defender and scored to give Jacksonville a win on the last play. The Jaguars are now just one game out of first place in the AFC South, and they are also one game out of the wild card spot.

Here are the head-to-head NFL betting trends as they involve the sportsbook odds on this game:

• Cleveland has won and covered four of the last six meetings
• Cleveland is 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings as the home team

…And by the way, make your NFL sportsbook picks and college selections with parlays of 16 through 20 teams for huge payouts at BetOnline Sportsbook!

Should we go with the team that has had a little more luck? Doesn’t that count for something in the NFL sportsbook? Maybe yes, when three things happen – (a) you’re talking about the home team; (b) it’s really not all about luck, and (c) you’ve talking about a quarterback who has been as hot as David Garrard has been of late.

Garrard leads all AFC quarterbacks in passing efficiency, and that is a group that includes Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers. Over his last five games, he has completed 70% of his passes for 8.6 yards an attempt and eleven TD’s, with just two interceptions. Those are some pretty heavy numbers.

Certainly there are some positives one can point to with the Browns in ;looking at this NFL sportsbook selection. Colt McCoy has started games against the Steelers, Saints, Pats and Jets, and not only has he shown a remarkable amount of poise, he has won two of them. Peyton Hillis (726 yards) looks like he may be headed to the Pro Bowl. The Browns’ secondary is not a bad proposition, and Jacksonville lost its best pass rusher, Aaron Kampann, last week.

At the same time, however, Cleveland’s approach is not the most imaginative in the world, and their receiving corps is no more threatening than what J-Ville has on hand. Plus, after this string of opponents, and especially the last two that came against Eric Mangini’s former employers, we wonder how much is left in the emotional tank of everyone involved. Positive vibes in the Jacksonville camp could carry the day, as we move with the Jags as a 1.5-point favorite in the NFL sportsbook odds.

JAY’S PLAY: JACKSONVILLE -1.5 **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

Beat the NFL odds this week at BetOnline Sportsbook, click here!