Atlanta Falcons vs Cleveland Browns Point Spread Picks

Despite a wild offseason, Cleveland still has plenty of talent on both sides of the line with a winning record. The Browns' offense is sixth in the NFL in points (28.3) and fifth in total yards behind QB Jacoby Brissett (4 TDs, 1 INT), while the ground attack leads the league with 190.7 yards per game. Atlanta got its first win of the season last week, surprising Seattle on the road, 27-23. However, this rebuilding team has a lot of holes. QB Marcus Mariota has as many TDs as interceptions (3), while the defense is #22 in yards allowed, #27 on third down, #26 against the pass, and #25 in points surrendered (27 per game). The Falcons are 38-63 ATS at home after a victory, 29-47 ATS against teams that average 375+ yards per game, plus 2-18 ATS at home after three or more straight spread covers. Play Cleveland.

The Cleveland Browns have a new coach but still have the same old results as this franchise continues to struggle to find the win column. This will be Game 10 on the season and the Browns have found the win column just twice. The Browns defense has allowed 134 points in its last four games at 33.5 points per game. That is not a good recipe vs. an Atlanta team that has gone over 30 points in five of its last seven contests. The Browns continue to find ways to lose games and have now gone 4-47-1 SU in their last 52 games. Atlanta rolls, so give the points and take the Falcons.

Atlanta is a talented team on the rise, coming off a 23-17 win and cover against Washington. QB Matt Ryan is a star and backup QB Matt Schaub passed for 179 yards, leading three scoring drives last week. The passing attack struck for 280 yards and faces a bad, rebuilding Cleveland team with little talent. This Atlanta offense finished seventh in the NFL in yards last year and adds WR Mohamed Sanu (Bengals) to help take the heat off WR Julio Jones (1,871 yards), a good pickup. The defense improved a lot under the new coaching staff. CB Jalen Collins has had himself a strong training camp and with CB Desmond Trufant sidelined, C.J. Goodwin has played plenty of reps at cornerback with the first-team defense. The wide receiver-turned-defensive back, who stands at 6-foot-3, has earned praise from Atlanta's coaching staff. The Browns are expected to be bad -- and look worse after a loss at Green Bay. The offense scored 11 points and was dreadful all around, getting 95 yards passing and 77 rushing. Four QBs were sacked four times. The injury issue atop the depth chart at receiver has forced them to try a lot of young, untested targets. Cleveland's lack of experience at wide receiver is already a major problem. The Browns are also being cautious and will likely hold star OT Joe Thomas out of Thursday's preseason game (back issue). Play the points on Atlanta.