Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns, 12/7/18 Predictions & Odds

Panthers vs. Browns Total Prediction

The struggling Carolina Panthers will look to stay in the playoff mix in the NFC when they visit the Cleveland Browns Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. Will the game turn high-scoring for bettors?

Game Snapshot

109 Carolina Panthers at 110 Cleveland Browns

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018

FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Panthers are 1.5-point favorites to beat the Browns. The total, meanwhile, sits at 47 points. As of this writing, 58% of the public betting tickets are on the Panthers to cover the point spread.

Carolina Panthers

Panthers OC Norv Turner expects Cam Newton (shoulder) to play Week 14 against the Browns. Newton wasn't throwing at the open portion of Thursday's practice, though his status for Sunday's game has never been in doubt. Even at less than 100 percent, Cam will be a top-tier QB1 in what equates to a must-win for the struggling Panthers.

Cleveland Browns

Duke Johnson (not injury related) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice. He's been away from the team the past two days while tending to a personal matter. Interim coach Gregg Williams was noncommittal when asked if Johnson would be back for Friday's session. If Johnson can't go against the Panthers this week, it would be his first career absence.

NFL Betting Trends

Carolina

The under is 4-1 in the Panthers’ last five road games.

Cleveland

The under is 4-1 in the Browns’ last five games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.

Prediction

Newton’s throwing shoulder concerns me but I’m still taking the over. The Panthers’ secondary has struggled all season but Carolina continues to move the ball consistently under Norv Turner. On the other side, the Browns toggle back-and-forth between being an excellent defense and one that hemorrhages points but Baker Mayfield has been a different quarterback since Hue Jackson and Todd Haley. The other thing that has helped Mayfield is the emergence of rookie running back Nick Chubb, who has been fantastic since entering the starting lineup. The over is 6-2 in the Browns’ last eight games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous contest and is 6-2 in the Panthers’ last eight games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.

NFL Week 14 Prediction: Panthers/Browns over 47