Browns vs. Colts: NFL Week 7 Odds, Picks & Player Prop Bets

I’m Andrew Erickson, and I’m here to guide you through each game on the NFL slate, offering insights and recommendations on sides, totals, and player props that you can quickly turn into a big single-game parlay. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just dipping your toes into the world of NFL wagering - I know that I am for the first time now that my state has legalized wagering - this primer is designed to provide you with valuable perspectives and picks for the upcoming NFL week of action. Here are my top picks for Browns vs. Colts.

NFL Betting Primer: Browns vs. Colts

Indianapolis Colts (IND) vs. Cleveland Browns (CLE) – Browns (-2.5)

At the time of this writing, we still don't know whether or not Deshaun Watson is playing. He is still listed as day-to-day and he has been pretty non-committal about whether he will start on Sunday versus the Colts. Considering he has a fully guaranteed contract; he literally has zero reason to force himself into action if he's not 100%. So, I'd bet he doesn't play.

That will put PJ Walker back into the starting lineup after a pretty horrific performance versus the 49ers. Now, that defense is elite, and Walker did enough to put the Browns in a position to win the game. But one could argue that the team won in spite of Walker and his 45.2 passer rating. He threw two interceptions and have five turnover-worthy plays. Only 59% of his passes were deemed catchable in the rainy conditions and his highly accurate throw rate was a bleak 38%. However, the conditions and defensive opponent have to be considered given that Brock Purdy also posted abysmal numbers.

I'd expect Walker to be better as the starter in Week 7 in a more favorable matchup, which I can't say for the Colts QB Gardner Minshew. Minshew was equally as bad as Walker was in Week 6 with seven turnover-worthy plays.

And that was against the Jaguars. Against a superior Browns defense that ranks first in a number of categories, things are going to get worse before they get better.

On the total side, you have to go under with two inferior QBs going at it. Before last week, the games that Minshew played the most in resulted in the Colts' only unders this season (Weeks 3 + 5). Last week, the game hit the over despite the Colts trailing 31-6 heading into the fourth quarter.

Not sure we get nearly as much garbage time production two weeks in a row.

My Picks:

Browns -2.5 (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Under 40 (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook)

What is Betting Against the Spread?

Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.

What is an Over/Under Bet?

Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.

What is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.