Cleveland at New England

There's still a lot we don't know about this Cleveland coaching staff. The team has a winning record, but with all the talent, they were expected to be very good after an 11-5 2020 season. They've been erratic, and despite the winning mark, they're actually tied with the Bengals for last place in the AFC North. What we do know is the passing offense has underachieved with QB Baker Mayfield throwing just 8 TDs and ranking #24 in passing yards (#15 on third down). The coaching staff bears some responsibility with the Browns drawing too many penalties, #25 in the NFL with 7.1 per game after ranking #21 last season. And here they go up against the best coaching staff in the league, ranked seventh in penalties (5.8 per game). The Patriots have been very good under rookie QB Mac Jones and keep getting better, winning three in a row. That includes a 27-24 win at the Chargers as a +4 dog. With an OT loss to Dallas, a missed last-second field goal in a 19-17 loss to the defending champs, and a late fumble that probably cost them a game against Miami, the Patriots aren't that far from being 8-2. The Patriots are #10 in points scored (25.6 per game), ninth defensively in yards allowed, and fourth in points surrendered (18.9 per game). The Browns are dealing with a slew of injuries with star RB Nick Chubb out, along with running backs Demetric Felton and John Kelly, leaving RB D'Ernest Johnson as the team's only healthy back. The wagering value is on the home team to win the game. Play New England on the moneyline.