Browns vs. Colts Betting Guide: Can Jacoby Brissett Take the Reins For Indy?

Browns vs. Colts Betting Guide: Can Jacoby Brissett Take the Reins For Indy? article feature image
Credit:

Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7).

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts Betting Odds

  • Spread: Colts -3
  • Over/Under: 43
  • Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

The Colts host the Browns in one of five NFL Preseason Week 2 matchups on Saturday. Let’s take a look at key storylines for both teams, complete with a betting pick.

Cleveland Browns

Much of the Browns' offseason hype has centered around their acquisition of stud wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. This has perhaps overshadowed their additional offseason decision to reload their defensive line:

  • 2013 first-round pick Sheldon Richardson has fallen on tough times as of late, failing to secure a long-term contract with any of the three teams he's played with since 2016. He's ranked outside of Pro Football Focus' top-50 interior defenders in each of the past three seasons, but now finds himself on the most talented defensive line he's seen since the best years of his career with the Jets.
  • Former Dolphins and Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon was arguably the best defensive player for the G-Men before the Browns traded for him this past offseason. Vernon has missed nine combined games over the past two seasons, but still managed to earn PFF's No. 32 and No. 14 ranking among edge defenders in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Of course, Myles Garrett remains an absolute monster who only seems to be getting better…

Myles Garrett +2200 for Defensive MVP is pretty, pretty, pretty good pic.twitter.com/xTYyumC70f

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 15, 2019

…and then there's Larry Ogunjobi, who burst onto the scene last season and ultimately finished with the 21st-most total pressures among all interior defenders.

The Browns will need to prove their offensive line is even half as capable as their defensive line to reach the types of goals they have this season, but general manager Josh Dorsey has certainly positioned them for success on both sides of the ball.

Indianapolis Colts

This season's version of the training camp Andrew Luck injury cycle is just as confusing as ever. Our most recent update was from Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who said that Luck's calf strain has turned into a high-ankle issue.

The good news for the 2019 Colts is their defense appears to be in a better position to carry their offense in the early parts of the season if needed. This is mostly thanks to stud linebacker Darius Leonard, who managed to make a handful of game-changing plays on a near-weekly basis as a rookie in 2018.

Rookies with more than 160 total tackles since 2000:

Patrick Willis (174)
Luke Kuechly (165)
Darius Leonard (163 – in 15 games) 👀 pic.twitter.com/rcuIE8U4lR

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 7, 2019

The Colts also added veteran pass rusher Justin Houston as well as cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. The latter, in addition to having an A-plus name, has reportedly had himself an exceptional training camp.

The Colts and Browns both figure to boast improved defenses in 2019. And the potential for their starting quarterbacks to combine for less than a quarter's worth of action has me siding with those defenses in this one.

PICK: Under 43

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