Sunday, September 27, 2020, FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, 1 p.m. ET
Washington at Browns Betting Preview: Washington (+7/-110), Browns (-7/-110)
Washington Football Team
Injuries could be a big factor for the Washington Football Team on Sunday, but there are a few days for veteran pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan and linebacker Thomas Davis to heal before the Ohio road trip.
Defense could keep Washington (1-1) in a lot of games this season, but only if the offense keeps up. Losing guard Brandon Scherff to injured reserve takes bite out of a power-running plan, and the Browns are loaded in the front seven. That will place the playmaking onus squarely on the shoulders of Dwayne Haskins, the Ohio State product who was held in check by the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Haskins had a strong outing in Week 1 to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.
It doesn’t get much easier for second-year wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who draws Denzel Ward this week after opening against Darius Slay (Eagles) and Patrick Peterson (Cardinals).
Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield was locked in to start Week 2 and reconnected with Odell Beckham Jr., who showed flashes of previous Pro Bowl form in a takedown of the Bengals last week. The extended rest coming out of the Thursday night primetime game should also afford head coach Kevin Stefanski extra time to plot ways to get his tandem tailbacks, Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb, on the field against a stout Washington front.
With a ton of household names leading the charge, some expected Cleveland to have a defense bordering on elite. But after being drubbed by the Ravens in the opener, rookie No. 1 pick Joe Burrow battered the Browns last week.
Washington at Browns Betting Pick for Week 3
These teams haven’t met since 2016, when Kirk Cousins and Matt Jones led a 31-20 win for Washington. The Browns have some work ahead if they want to prove a consistent threat and potential contender. Winning at home against a team still rebuilding is a must to move in that direction.
Washington at Browns Betting Pick:
Browns 24, Washington Football Team 19
Washington at Browns Best Bet for Week 3
Chubb scored twice last week against the Bengals and is going to get the ball 20 times unless the Browns find themselves in a surprising hole early in the game. Chubb has three multiple TD games in his past eight games.
Washington at Browns Best Bet: Browns RB Nick Chubb multiple TD scorer (+750)