3 Top Bets for Browns vs. 49ers
Some Browns fans may have understandably already turned the page on this week.
It hasn’t been an easy one to stomach for the Browns, who are entering Week 6 without Deshaun Watson for the second straight game after initially having optimism he could return from his shoulder injury after a bye week. Anyone who’s paid attention to the buzz swirling Berea is aware that no one knows the answer for when he’ll be back.
Dark times, indeed (but not time to press the panic button yet).
Perhaps the pain could be eased by hitting on a few bets, of which we see a few safe options Sunday.
Here are three betting lines to consider. All lines are coming from SI Sportsbook:
Under 35.5 points (-110)
This is essentially a bet on the Browns defense and Jim Schwartz, who has historically carried an overwhelming upper hand over Kyle Shanahan in past matchups — he’s 8-1 all-time against Shanahan and hasn’t lost a battle against him since 2008.
The 49ers’ offense is full of weapons and just posted 42 points against a talented Cowboys defense last week, but the Browns should pose an even stiffer challenge, and their defensive line should pressure Brock Purdy more than any other unit he’s faced this year.
Backup QB P.J. Walker is starting for the Browns, and there's also a chance of rain in the forecast — both common ingredients for an under.
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) runs with the ball during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Ford Over 2.5 Receptions (+138)
With Walker making his debut in the Browns offense after spending five weeks on the practice squad, this could be a checkdown-heavy game.
Ford would be a beneficiary of that and likely see a high target volume for a running back. He caught five passes on six targets when the Browns were forced to start backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Week 4 against the Ravens, and a similar receiving workload could be in store if Walker won’t have much time to assess his reads. That seems likely against a 49ers defense that ranks third in the NFL in pressure percentage.
When Walker needs to get rid of the ball quickly, he’ll be looking for Ford.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) receives a pass to bring in a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Amari Cooper Over 41.5 Receiving Yards (-125)
Cooper is a bit more of a dicey play after he totaled just 37 receiving yards in Week 4 with Thompson-Robinson under center, but we’re banking on him having a better game with Walker, whose NFL experience should certainly help the Browns distribute the ball better than they did with Thompson-Robinson.
The Browns aren’t likely to lead much, if at all in this game, so Walker’s arm could be relied on quite a bit to give them a shot, and that means Cooper will have his share of opportunities. When Walker started Weeks 5-10 for the Panthers last season, D.J. Moore, Carolina’s top receiver, saw some of his highest targeted games all season.
Expect Cooper to see plenty of chances in Walker’s debut.
