Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders NFL Week 15 Betting Odds, Picks, and Preview

Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders NFL Week 15 Betting Odds, Picks, and Preview

Thanks to a certain virus, we have an early Christmas present to look forward to this evening in the form of a Monday night NFL doubleheader. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the early game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns was pushed to Monday due to virus protocol issues running rampant in the Cleveland locker room. As the available personnel has constantly been changing, so too have the NFL betting odds for this game. The visitors remain short favorites ahead of this critical AFC showdown.

Raiders vs. Browns Week 15 NFL Betting Odds, Picks, and Preview

Las Vegas Raiders (6-7 SU, 5-8 ATS) vs. Cleveland Browns (7-6 SU, 5-8 ATS)

• Date: Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
• Start Time: 5 p.m. EST
• Location: FirstEnergy Stadium — Cleveland, OH
• TV Coverage: NFL Network

CLICK HERE FOR RAIDERS VS BROWNS ODDS

Las Vegas Raiders Preview

Last week’s blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs marked the Raiders’ fifth loss in their last six games. They now face a major uphill battle in the AFC playoff race. Of course, there are very few teams in the NFL that are capable of exploiting the depleted Las Vegas secondary to the same degree as Kansas City. No matter who is under center for Cleveland in Monday’s NFL betting matchup, the Raiders should be able to at least keep things contained. The real question is whether or not the offense will show up.

After being in the MVP conversation early on in the season, Derek Carr has fizzled out. Although he still ranks near the top of the league in total passing yards, it has been a very ugly stretch for the Raiders’ offense. They have been held under 20 points in five of the last six games. It comes as no surprise that all five of those games were losses. Las Vegas has been losing the time of possession battle on a near-weekly basis. Given the suspect status of the defense, they simply cannot afford to give opponents extra chances. They sure did so last Sunday with five total turnovers in the blowout loss. With star tight end Darren Waller already having been ruled out for Monday’s game, the Raiders will again be without their most potent pass-catcher.

Cleveland Browns Preview

Sure, the Browns picked up a huge NFL betting divisional win over the Baltimore Ravens last week. Unfortunately, the entire Cleveland organization has fallen into the clutches of the dreaded health and safety protocols. With zero Las Vegas players currently in virus protocols, this NFL betting contest was postponed solely for the Browns to try and get some bodies back. Cleveland’s virus list swelled to include as many as 20 players last week. Among the most notable offensive positives are starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, his backup, Case Keenum, receiver Jarvis Landry, and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. If neither Mayfield nor Keenum is able to clear protocols in time for Monday’s game, Nick Mullens would be in line to start at QB.

On defense, the Browns’ secondary has also been ravaged with positive tests. Safety Grant Delpit and corner A.J. Green were among those placed on the virus list. Pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney also tested positive late last week. Even head coach Kevin Stefanski could not escape unscathed. While the Browns would ideally lean on their run game given the uncertainty at quarterback, the backfield will also be shorthanded. Kareem Hunt has already been ruled out for this NFL betting contest with an ankle injury. Nick Chubb figures to be the heart and soul of Cleveland’s offense as a result while the defensive front will be tasked with shutting down Las Vegas.

Raiders vs. Browns NFL Betting Odds and Line Movement

The following table contains the best Raiders vs Browns NFL betting odds and lines available in the market.

No Week 15 game has seen NFL betting line movement quite like this one. Opening numbers pegged the Browns as six-point favorites. Thanks to all of the virus turmoil, the point spread swung all the way through pick’em and climbed as high as -4 in favor of the Raiders late last week. While the postponement to Monday has led to a small adjustment in the Browns’ favor, it would likely take some key players returning from protocols to see another move through pick’em.

The total for this game has experienced similar massive adjustments. After dipping down as low as 37.5 last week when this game was still expected to go off on Saturday, the market has moved the number back to 40.5. Even with that latest adjustment, this remains one of the lowest over/under lines of Week 15 and of the entire NFL season to date.

Raiders vs. Browns Betting Picks and Prediction

Given the uncertainty as to who the Browns will have available when this game kicks off, it is a tough one to handicap. Even with the total climbing back up to 40.5, the over still carries the most intrigue as a betting pick for this game. Both secondaries are far from the NFL’s best even when fully healthy. Assuming both offensive lines can withstand the talented pass rushers lining up opposite from them, this matchup has the potential to see more points scored than most expect. 

For what it’s worth, Nick Mullens lit up the Raiders in a start last year while with the San Francisco 49ers. The Browns should honestly consider themselves fortunate to have him as their third option at QB. On the other side of the ball, look for Derek Carr to target Hunter Renfrow and RB Josh Jacobs heavily as he works against a depleted Cleveland secondary.

Raiders vs Browns NFL Betting Picks: Over 40.5 (-110)