New York Jets (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) vs. Cleveland Browns (0-4 SU, 1-3 ATS)
NFL Week 5
Date/Time: Sunday, October 8th, 2017 1:00 PM ET
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
TV: FOX
by Keith, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: NYJ/CLE – PK
Over/Under Total: 39
The Jets will continue forth on yet another high note after they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars last week at home in an overtime thriller. Now the Jets will travel to the Dawg Pound to face off with AFC North foe, the Cleveland Browns. The Browns enter off yet another loss and remain winless on the season. The Jets are 2-2 while the Browns are 0-4. Kick-off is scheduled at 1:00 PM with the proceedings to be aired live from FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on FOX. Gang Green has won the last four against the Dawgs.
Once again, the Cleveland Browns are currently on pace to earn the number one draft pick as they are winless out of the gate in the early going. The Jets were supposed to be that team. The Browns are currently riding a five-game losing streak that extends to back to last season. In doing so, the Browns averted a catastrophe as they won just one game in 2016 in their fifteen attempts. The Browns have some young talent in their ranks but nevertheless it has not translated to the football field. The Browns have not fared well against the spread this season, highlighting the fact the Browns have been far worse than advertised.
The New York Jets defense has been winning games and picking up slack for an inconsistent offense that has boom or bust prowess about it. The Jets continue to deal with injuries to key players and these events have curtailed their output overall. However, recently acquired Jermaine Kearse has emerged as a prime weapon in the Jets passing game and running back Matt Forte has emerged in a veteran leadership role to help propel this team to a higher level. As a matter of fact, Gang Green owns the seventh-ranked rushing offense in the NFL at the current moment. The Jets compile over 130 yards on the ground per game. The Jets are opportunistic in their approach toward competition with their defense leading the way to their two consecutive wins.
We are going to play the team with the hot hand and stay clear of the team that has yet to win a game this season. The Browns are simply a dangerous play and the Jets have now found ways to win and continue to improve. In spite of a win against Jacksonville, the Jets stock remains low and they along with Cleveland remain the two bottom-barrel teams of the NFL. The market has declared this one a pick-em which means it can go anyway. However, the Jets have been shattering expectations be that they are a .500 football team. Cleveland was supposed to improve; the Jets were supposed to regress.
The Jets defense is likely getting a mulligan against the Browns as their numbers have been abysmal across the board. In offensive production, the Browns rank 28th in scoring, 26th in total yards, and 27th in rushing. None of these numbers are the least bit frightening and complemented by a 28th ranked scoring defense. This sets up the Jets to not only win but win big. However, the number in the Over/Under suggests this may be an ugly affair to watch and full of eye-sore plays. Nevertheless, even in that scenario, the Jets are not spotting points so there is no harm in playing on them. In this occasion we are going to go with the public be that Cleveland is simply too risky of a play at this point in the season. Had the Browns been playing a team that is decisively better we may have been able to take advantage of inflated points. However, that is not the case here.
This game may very well be a sloppy and disorganized affair settled by a low total score. That doesnt matter. Overall, the Jets as a pick-em offers tremendous upside given the fact they are coming off a win, while playing against a team on a long losing streak that has a penchant for mediocrity. This contest will like decide the fate of both teams down the stretch be that the loser will likely fold their tents on their 2017 campaign. Chances are that will be the Dawg Pound.
KEITHs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: NEW YORK JETS PICK EM. Bet your pick for this game using your credit card at an online bookie where it WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% signup bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $250! (Example: Deposit $250 and they’ll give you an extra $250 FREE!) Find this great offer at Bovada Sportsbook.