New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/24/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Wednesday, Dec 21, 2022
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Where to watch: CBS

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Browns -2.5; Browns -145, Saints +125; O/U 32.5
FanDuel: Browns -2.5; Browns -154, Saints +130; O/U 32.5
BetMGM: Browns -2.5; Browns -150, Saints +125; O/U 32.5
Caesars: Browns -2.5; Browns -154, Saints +130; O/U 32.5

Season record
Saints: 5-9 (3rd place, NFC South)
Browns: 6-8 (3rd place, AFC North

We’re coming down the home stretch of the NFL season and there’s still a lot left to get excited for on your TV screen (or your streaming device if you’re like me and watch Sunday Ticket on a Fire Stick. That works, too). Nevertheless, the final few weeks of the regular season are going to be hectic for everyone on the field, but just as much as everyone off it. You’re probably going to need to figure out which plays are the best ones in terms of teams sitting the star players for the playoff advantage, or which teams are going all in for the final playoff push. If you need that extra push, trust that our champion handicappers can get the job done for you. Matt Fargo has a 17-9-0 run over the last 30 days in the NFL. Brian Bitler has continued to stay consistent, despite a wild, unpredictable season, by going 16-9-0. Do you want a piece of this action? Make sure to stay locked to bigal.com and follow our champion handicappers so you can be a champion, too!

Saints - Browns preview, analysis and prediction


Last week
Saints: won 21-18 vs. Falcons
Browns: won 13-3 vs. Ravens

Saints analysis

Imagine how different things would be if the New Orleans Saints figured out how to close games. Alas, they’re looking to be on the outside looking in rather soon and a weird season will soon be coming to an end.

The Saints are coming off a 21-18 win over the Atlanta Falcons, but it failed to cover for the fourth time in six games after being 5.5-point favorites against Atlanta. It was only the third time in the last 10 games that the Saints were favored and they covered in the previous two. But you don’t expect to play that kind of disappointing game against a quarterback making his NFL debut.

The Saints absolutely did their thing in holding Desmond Ridder to 97 yards passing and 38 on the ground. Andy Dalton did his part with 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Taysom Hill threw another one. New Orleans has seen the under cash in six of the last 10, and there’s no reason to think that doesn’t happen again.

At least the good news for the Saints is this is going to soon end what has been a frustrating season. A quarterback will soon fall to their lap in the best of ways, to which Mardi Gras can then begin.

Browns analysis

The Cleveland Browns aren’t dead yet. They’ve won three of four and are only two games back of a playoff spot. They’re running out of time and will need some help along the way, but the Browns have to feel good after knocking off the injured Baltimore Ravens in this one.

The 13-3 win wasn’t the prettiest, but they got some production from Deshaun Watson going 18 of 28 for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Chub ran for 99 yards on 21 carries – a rather productive day for those that need it.

Along with winning three of four outright, the Browns have covered in three of their last four, but the under has been a constant in those four games. The last two games, against the Bengals and Ravens, saw the margin finish by at least 14 points.

The Browns are still trying to figure things out in terms of making this offense comfortable for Watson in game action. He’s only appeared in three games so far and could have arguably led them all to victories. But the Browns are building toward something exciting, at the very least, and things appear to be looking good.

Prediction

The Browns have the better group and better quarterback on a game where they need to capitalize on home-field advantage. Cleveland should handle another win by double digits. Browns by 14

Betting trends


Saints are 0-6 ATS after playing a home game this season.

Saints are 0-6 ATS after allowing 3 points or less in the first half the last game the last 2 seasons.

Browns are 13-26 ATS at home after allowing 150 passing yards or fewer in the last games since 1992.

Browns are 5-0 ATS in their last five Saturday games.

Statistical leaders


Saints:
Passing: Andy Dalton – 2,403 yards, 17 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Alvin Kamara – 641 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Chris Olave – 940 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Demario Davis – 6.5 sacks

Browns:
Passing: Deshaun Watson – 568 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Nick Chubb – 1,252 yards, 12 TD
Receiving: Amari Cooper – 932 yards, 7 TD
Defense: Myles Garrett – 13.5 sacks

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this New Orleans Saints - Cleveland Browns prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NFL projections and previews.

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.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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