It’s a new week in the 2021 NFL season, which means that it’s time for another Thursday Night Football matchup. This week’s contest will be played between the Denver Broncos (3-3) and the Cleveland Browns (3-3).
The Broncos are entering tonight’s game after losing their last three matchups while the Browns are on their own two-game losing skid. Only time will tell which team will stop their streak and get back to being over .500.
Read on for betting odds (BetOnline) and analysis as to what you can expect in tonight’s Thursday Night Football matchup.
Broncos vs Browns General Information and Statistics
Tonight’s matchup will be played at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH — home of the Browns. Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. EST and the game can be viewed on FOX and the NFL Network, as well as multiple streaming platforms.
The Broncos are averaging 21.0 points per game this season, which is tied for the 22nd-best average so far this season. Meanwhile, the Browns average 26.0 PPG — ninth-best in the NFL. Defensively, Denver is surrendering 18.3 PPG (4th) while Cleveland has been giving up an average of 25.2 PPG (22nd).
Thursday Night Football: Broncos vs Browns Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Thursday, October 21
- Denver Broncos (3-3) vs Cleveland Browns (3-3)
- Moneyline: Broncos (+103) vs Browns (-123)
- Spread: Broncos +1.5 (-110) vs Browns -1.5 (-110)
- Total: 41.0 — Over (-107), Under (-113)
Complete odds list and prop bets available at BetOnline.ag.
Broncos Looking to End Skid
When the Broncos opened up the 2021 NFL season with three straight wins, many felt like the franchise was finally turning the corner. Unfortunately, they’re entering Thursday Night Football on a three-game losing streak. The good news, however, is that they’ll be facing a Browns team that will be at less than 100%.
Cleveland will be without its leading rushers in Kareem Hunt (calf) and Nick Chubb (calf) tonight. That’s good for the Broncos because the run has been the focal point in any success that the Browns have seen this season, as proven by their 32.3 rushing attempts (3rd) and 168.5 rushing yards (1st) per game this season.
Not only that, but Case Keenum will be Cleveland’s starting quarterback with Baker Mayfield being out of the lineup with a lingering labrum injury. Denver’s defense has been solid all season, limiting opponents to 314.7 total yards per game (4th), and should have a field day with the Browns’ broken down offense.
Even though the Broncos are entering as the slight underdogs, it’s hard to bet against them when the Browns are in such poor shape.
Thursday Night Football: Can Cleveland Overcome Injury Trouble?
As mentioned early, the Browns have more injuries than they know what to do with. In addition to the team’s running backs and quarterbacks, Cleveland could also be without starting tackles Jack Conklin (knee) and Jedrick Willis Jr. (ankle) and wideout Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder), who are all questionable for Thursday Night Football.
In other words, it’s looking like the Browns’ success will rely on how well Case Keenum can perform. The 33-year-old veteran hasn’t started an NFL game since he was a member of the Washington Football Team in 2019. He started eight of 10 games that season, completing 64.8% of his passes for 1,707 yards and 11 touchdowns to five interceptions.
The one bright spot for Cleveland is that Denver has only been averaging 16.7 points during its current three-game losing streak — the fourth-worst average during that span. Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater also isn’t 100% right now and is questionable for tonight’s contest, which means Drew Lock could draw the start. If Cleveland’s defense can stay hold itself together against either possible matchup, there’s no reason why the Browns can’t get back into the win column tonight.
