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NFL 'TNF' Week 17: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets betting picks, preview
We've reached the final "Thursday Night Football" matchup of the season, as the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets will kick off a crucial Week 17 slate in the NFL. Let's break down the AFC showdown and target some spread and total bets for "TNF."
Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets betting odds, preview
Spread: Browns -7.5, Over/under: 35, Moneyline: Browns -340 | Jets +270
Who saw this run coming from the Browns? Since Joe Flacco jumped off his couch and took over the starting job, Cleveland has gone 3-1 to take over the No. 5 spot in the AFC playoff standings. The Browns likely won't win the AFC North, but they have a greater than 99 percent chance to make the playoffs.
Flacco, who's about to turn 39, has racked up 1,053 passing yards and eight touchdown passes over the last three games. The Browns averaged 29.0 points per game during that stretch.
As for the Jets, they went back to Trevor Siemian and put up 30 points against the Washington Commanders. That marked the second-highest scoring day of New York's season. Breece Hall went off for 191 total yards and two touchdowns last week, so the Browns will focus all of their defensive effort on stopping the explosive running back.
The Browns and Jets rank first and second, respectively, in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, which is why the total is so low at 35.
'Thursday Night Football' betting picks
Jets +7.5 (-110 FanDuel)
In a game that features such a low total, an underdog this big becomes inherently valuable. Flacco has this Browns offense operating at a high level, but his last three games came against the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jets defense is the best unit Flacco has seen by a wide margin. He's thrown seven interceptions and fumbled twice in four games this season, and that sloppiness with the ball will get him in trouble against an aggressive New York defense.
The Jets had one of their best offensive showings of the season last week riding Hall, and they'll bring a similar game plan to Cleveland. As long as Siemian can protect the football, this should be a close game up until the end.
Under 35 (-110 Caesars)
Our favorite play for "TNF" this week is the full-game under. Browns home games have gone 2-6 to the under this season with an average cover margin of 4.6 points. Cleveland is allowing just 13.1 points per game at home this season, which is the best mark in the NFL.
Siemian and Flacco feasted on bad pass defenses last week, but it won't be that easy on Thursday night with the two best pass defenses in the NFL going to battle. We're expecting a ton of offensive mistakes and little success for both offenses in the red zone, which should lead to a low-scoring game.
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