by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Sep 27, 2022
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Browns -3
FanDuel: Browns -3
BetMGM: Browns -3
Caesars: Browns -3
Season record
Browns: 2-1
Falcons: 1-2
Are you not entertained by the NFL season one month in? What action we've had, and we're already down to the point where the 1972 Miami Dolphins can start popping champagne. Only three undefeated teams remain heading into the Monday Night matchup and there were upsets galore this past weekend. And of course, nothing was more electric than our own Wayne Root going 8-2-0 in the NFL this past weekend. So many upsets, so many big covers and backdoor covers, what in the world will Week 4 hold? Make sure you're following Wayne and our other champion handicappers to find out what we're rolling with so you may get on the action. You can find all of this on our Best Bets page.
Browns - Falcons preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Browns: won 29-17 vs. Steelers
Falcons: won 27-23 at Seahawks
The Cleveland Browns, ladies and gentlemen, are tied atop the AFC North standings after three games. Not sure how any of this makes sense, but here we are with the Browns – minus Deshaun Watson, minus Baker Mayfield, and minus any literal quarterback that could throw farther than 10 yards. But Jacoby Brissett is showing that he’s capable of so much more than just being a game manager. He’s got the Browns believing in the midst of Watson’s three-month suspension. The Browns are coming off a rather surprising 29-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday. So of course the Browns defense had to take it to Mitch Trubisky and co. Brissett was tremendous, throwing for 220 yards and two touchdowns. One touchdown and 101 of those yards went to Amari Cooper, this summer’s big trade acquisition in Cleveland. Nick Chubb also dominated on the ground for 113 yards and a touchdown. To think if not for that epic collapse last week in the loss to the New York Jets, things might be a little bit better.
The Cleveland Browns, ladies and gentlemen, are tied atop the AFC North standings after three games. Not sure how any of this makes sense, but here we are with the Browns – minus Deshaun Watson, minus Baker Mayfield, and minus any literal quarterback that could throw farther than 10 yards. But Jacoby Brissett is showing that he’s capable of so much more than just being a game manager. He’s got the Browns believing in the midst of Watson’s three-month suspension. The Browns are coming off a rather surprising 29-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday. So of course the Browns defense had to take it to Mitch Trubisky and co. Brissett was tremendous, throwing for 220 yards and two touchdowns. One touchdown and 101 of those yards went to Amari Cooper, this summer’s big trade acquisition in Cleveland. Nick Chubb also dominated on the ground for 113 yards and a touchdown. To think if not for that epic collapse last week in the loss to the New York Jets, things might be a little bit better.
“We had the right men in that room to be able to get past it,” Brissett said, “and I think we answered that call. We knew it wasn't going to be easy. The guys answered the bell.”
They answered with authority, and now the Browns are in early command of the AFC North, give or take a few more games. But this is just incredible what the Browns have been able to do in the absence of Watson, or even with what they’ve done without Mayfield, as well, since trading him to Carolina.
“That's not an easy thing to bounce back from,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “We talked about it on Sunday. We talked about it on Monday. What I'm proud of with those guys is you can't let a loss linger, and we won't let this win linger either. But I'm proud of how they responded. You've got to be resilient.”
It has got to be something in the water for the Atlanta Falcons to have three straight victories, all involving the final few minutes of a game. Atlanta did win its first game of the season on Sunday, 27-23 in another nailbiter against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. There was major belief that the offense would struggle heavily given its crash course a few weeks ago. Marcus Mariota went for 229 yards and a touchdown to go along with an interception; even Kyle Pitts hauled in 87 yards on five receptions alone. Cordarrelle Patterson, who for some reason has become one of the more explosive running backs in the league after running for 141 yards and a touchdown. Even Kyle Pitts got it going again with 87 yards on five receptions.
“We’ve been away for eight days. I told them there’s no way I’m coming home with a ‘L,’” Patterson said. “My family would kill me if I was gone that long and lose.”
The Falcons nearly came back from 28-3 down to almost beat the Rams two weeks ago, that coming off a 1-point loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Other than that, smooth sailing here.
Prediction
I’d normally hope to expect the Falcons would bounce forward with two straight wins, but I don’t trust anyone to hop in off a close win against Seattle. The Browns have a steady hand under center in front of them and I can see him going in and leading his team to win. Browns by 10
Betting trends
Browns are 7-14 ATS as a favorite the past three seasons.
Browns are 10-9 ATS on the road in their last 19 road games.
Browns are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games.
Falcons are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 home games.
Statistical leaders
Browns:
Passing: Jacoby Brissett -- 595 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Nick Chubb -- 341 yards, 4 TD
Receiving: Amari Cooper -- 219 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Myles Garrett -- 3 sacks
Falcons:
Passing: Marcus Mariota -- 640 yards
Rushing: Cordarrelle Patterson -- 302 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Drake London 214 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Grady Jarrett -- 2.5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
