Browns vs Jets Prediction: Cleveland to down the Jets

| December 27 |

3 mins read

The holiday season is almost over as the NFL enters Week 17 with some crucial matchups on the slate and still plenty to be decided as far as playoff spots and seedings are concerned.

It looks like the Cleveland Browns will be staying relevant longer than the Christmas decorations this year as Joe Flacco's arm and veteran leadership propels them into the postseason.

Cleveland can clinch a wild card berth and apply some pressure to the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens if they can beat the long-since-eliminated New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night.

Browns vs Jets Prediction

Cleveland Browns -10.5 Handicap Alternative Line 1 @ 13/10
David Njoku Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ 15/8

Team News

Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins is unlikely to feature after injuring his hamstring against the Houston Texans last Sunday while attempting to chase down a kick returner.

Punter Corey Bojorquez is also dealing with a quad injury, while backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been placed on injured reserve due to a hip problem.

All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio overcame back spasms to play against the Texans, but has been limited in practice this week.

As for the Jets, they could be without QB Zach Wilson and TE Jeremy Ruckert (both concussion), with kicker Greg Zuerlein also a doubt after missing practice due to a quad issue.

With Aaron Rodgers unlikely to feature until next season, third-string QB Trevor Siemian is set to get his second start

Match Odds

The Browns are the straight-up favourites on the money line at 3/10, with the Jets 13/5.

The handicap has been set at 7.5 and Cleveland can be backed to cover the spread at 10/11, while it's also 10/11 for New York to cover, getting the points.

Cleveland Browns -10.5 Handicap Alternative Line 1 @ 13/10

Joe Flacco has fuelled the Browns' late-season burst into playoff contention by giving a new dimension to a previously erratic Cleveland offense.

The 38-year-old has thrown for more yards (1,307) than any other quarterback since making his first start for the team four games ago and tossed 10 touchdown passes, tied for the most in the NFL in the last month.

With a point to prove to a Jets team that dumped him in the offseason and didn't come calling when Rodgers went down in Week 1, Flacco should be fired up by playing in front of a full house at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Browns fans believe in their team again and much of that comes down to having the NFL's top-ranked defense. Jim Schwartz's unit have allowed less than 300 yards in five of their past six games.

They rank first against the pass, for total yards per game allowed, yards per play and interception rate.

The Jets' defense are no slouches either, but they will probably be out on the field and worn down by the end of this contest if their anaemic offense can't sustain drives.

David Njoku Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ 15/8

Flacco's early-December entrance as QB and potential saviour of the Browns season has reignited a couple of offensive weapons that were having underwhelming years.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper has caught fire with more than a third of his season's production coming in the past three weeks and tight end David Njoku has become Flacco's go-to guy in the red zone.

The 27-year-old has scored four touchdowns in Cleveland's past three games and offers plenty of value in the Anytime Touchdown Scorer betting this week against a Jets defence that has allowed eight TDs to tight ends already this year.