The Cleveland Browns will travel to Tampa Bay to take on Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers Sunday at noon. Record-wise, these are two young teams still trying to make their mark on the league as the Browns sit at last place in the AFC North with a 2-3-1 record. After the hot “Fitzmagic” start to the season for the Bucs, they’ve regressed back to third-place in the NFC South with a 2-3 record ahead of the 2-4 Falcons. This will be the second straight week Winston will line up behind center as this could be an old-fashioned shoot out at Raymond James Stadium.
Browns vs. Buccaneers Odds
Thanks to the home-field advantage, Tampa Bay is favored in this game -3.0. They are currently 1-1 on the season at home winning against the Eagles and falling short to the Steelers. The Browns hope to earn their first win on the road this season against a very poor Tampa Bay defensive unit. They give up an average of 34.6 points per game in their five games this season. It remains to be seen how the defense holds up this week after firing defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
Spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3
Total: 49.5
Browns vs. Buccaneers Head to Head
Given the history of the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay may be one of the few teams the Browns own the all-time record against at 6-3. The last time these two faced off was all the way back in 2014 when the Browns won 22-17. It was a matchup between Brian Hoyer and Mike Glennon who both passed for two touchdowns and two interceptions. After years and years of searching however it seems that Cleveland has finally found their franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is a born winner but has experienced growing pains in his rookie season with 1,076 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions since stepping in as the starter back in Week 4. Mayfield did face the Ravens and Chargers over the past two weeks so a tune up game against the susceptible Buccaneers defense might be just what he needs.
Browns vs. Buccaneers Stats
Jameis Winston looked very impressive for his first game of the season against the Falcons completing 30-of-41 passes for 395 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. This has been a team that has been searching for a run game and finally got a solid outing from Peyton Barber who finished last week with 13 carries for 82 yards, but also contributed four receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Browns vs. Buccaneers News
With Mike Smith now out as the defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers, linebackers coach Mark Duffner will step in as his replacement. Duffner came to the Buccaneers in 2016, when current head coach Dirk Koetter was elevated from offensive coordinator. He’s helped mold linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander into Pro Bowlers since joining the team. The team was desperately in need for a change as they rank near the bottom in nearly every defensive statistic.
Browns vs. Buccaneers Predictions
We’re taking the Buccaneers in this matchup against the Browns, 35-21.