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The Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings will battle in an interconference matchup on Sunday. It's time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Browns-Vikings prediction and pick.
The Browns will look to go to 3-1 on the season, while the Vikings will look to move to 2-2 after a win last week vs. the Seattle Seahawks.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the Browns-Vikings odds for this Sunday matchup.
NFL Odds: Browns-Vikings Odds
Cleveland Browns -2 (-113)
Minnesota Vikings +2 (-107)
Over 51 points (-110)
Under 51 points (-110)
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Why The Browns Can Cover The Spread
The Browns are the better all-around team on paper. Their running game — which features a 1-2 punch of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt — is a ton to deal with for any defense. Baker Mayfield has been efficient and good this season, completing nearly 74% of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
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Cleveland's defense has been good as well, as Myles Garrett and company dominated the Chicago Bears last week, holding them to just 47 total yards while piling up nine sacks of Bears rookie QB Justin Fields. They have playmakers at all three levels on their defense, and they ranked as the fifth-best unit against the run and the pass so far this season (third in total defense).
The Vikings have give up a lot of points this season, and while they have scored a lot in their own right, the Browns' defense presents a different challenge than what they've faced so far through the first three weeks. The Browns' ball-control offense could leave the Vikings with less opportunities to make plays.
Why The Vikings Can Cover The Spread
Minnesota has scored a ton of points this season, ranking eighth in the NFL with 29 points per game through Week 3 behind an electric passing attack. Their defense, however, has struggled as they have given up 26 points per game, though it was better last week when they held the Seahawks to just 17 points. The Browns can be susceptible to giving up big plays, and Kirk Cousins has made plenty of those this season.
Minnesota will be at home on Sunday, and their fans usually provide a fairly hostile environment for opponents. Dalvin Cook (assuming he returns from injury) and Alexander Mattison make a formidable 1-2 punch in the run game in their own right, and Cousins has several weapons at receiver and tight end as well. The Vikings want this game to be a shootout, as they have the ammunition to hold their ground. If they can get the scoring rolling early, they may be able to pull out this victory on their home field.
Final Browns-Vikings Prediction & Pick
Despite being on the road, the Browns look too good this season to fade vs. a middling Vikings team. Cleveland has been clicking on all cylinders on both sides of the ball and should find a way to pull out the win. Mayfield is probably a safer bet to take care of the ball than Cousins, who may be under duress vs. the daunting Browns pass rush.
FINAL BROWNS-VIKINGS PREDICTION & PICK: Browns -2 (-113)
