Vikings vs. Browns Prediction, Odds: International Series Picks; Gabriel Named Starter
The Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns will square off at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday (NFL Network) from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, and my Vikings vs. Browns prediction backs Minnesota to win and cover the 3.5-point spread.
With news that Dillon Gabriel will start under center for Cleveland, that 3.5-point spread might increase.
The rookie signal caller is set to face one of the league's most formidable defenses, and my NFL picks below - part of the NFL predictions for Week 5 - analyze why Minnesota represents the best bet.
🏈 Early Vikings vs. Browns prediction & best bet
Stay ahead with the rest of our early NFL predictions for Week 5.
Vikings -3.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Backing the Vikings to win by four points or more boils down to my complete lack of confidence in the Browns' offense. Kevin Stefanski's team is averaging 14 points per game - the second-fewest in football (Tennessee averages 12.8).
That paltry average has come against the shoddy defense of the Cincinnati Bengals (20th-ranked defensive DVOA) and the Detroit Lions' mediocre 16th-ranked unit.
If Joe Flacco has trouble scoring against those defenses, how will he be productive against a Minnesota Vikings unit that had the second-best defensive DVOA entering Week 4?
While I don't have a ton of confidence in the Vikings' offensive inconsistencies, at least it has proven that, with presumed starter Carson Wentz under center, it can put points on the board.
He put 15 fourth-quarter points on the board against Pittsburgh in Dublin and scored 48 against the Bengals. Before you chuckle uncontrollably, remember the Browns managed just 16 against Trey Hendrickson and Co.
Wentz has the added benefit of being at the helm of the fifth-best offensive rushing DVOA.
Four of the five best sports betting sites offer -3.5, three of which - bet365, BetMGM, and Caesars - at the standard juice of -110. A winning $10 bet will yield a profit of $9.09.
📊 Vikings vs. Browns odds: International Series
Latest NFL odds updated live in real time.
📈 Vikings vs. Browns opening odds
- Moneyline: Vikings -325 | Browns +260
- Spread: Vikings -6.5 (-120) | Browns +6.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: Over 41.5 (-110) | Under 41.5 (-110)
💡 Vikings vs. Browns odds analysis
DraftKings is the only one of the best sports betting apps offering a 4.5-point spread. The four sportsbooks offering a -3.5 have odds ranging from -110 to -115. I can see the spread increasing to 4, possibly 4.5 points, and I wouldn't back the Vikings any higher than -4.
🔢 Vikings vs. Browns updated betting insights
- The Vikings remain the 3.5-point betting favorite. However, expect that line to move after news broke that Gabriel will replace Joe Flacco
- 51% of bets are on the Vikings to cover
- The total opened at 41.5 and has since dropped to between 35.5 and 36.5, the lowest total of the Week 5 slate
How to watch Vikings vs. Browns
- Matchup: Sunday, Oct. 5
- When: 9:30 a.m. ET
- Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
- TV: NFL Network
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
