Browns vs. 49ers Week 5 Betting Odds

The surprising 3-0 San Francisco 49ers are coming off a bye week and now have a home test against the 2-2 Cleveland Browns. 2 weeks ago the 49ers did not play their best football but were able to overcome several miscues as well as sloppy play en route to the 24-20 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns were the unofficial winner of the offseason with several major additions and after a slow start to the season they beat the Baltimore Ravens 40-25 last week to even their record at 2-2.

Much of the offseason hype surrounded 2nd year quarterback Baker Mayfield (20-30 342 yards and a touchdown) and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr (2 catches for 20 yards). However, it was the dominant performances from 2 returning players that were the difference makers in this contest. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry had 8 catches for 167 yards in the passing game. Even more dominant was the performance of running back Nick Chubb who had 20 carries for 165 yards and 3 big scores in the win. The teams defense slowed down Baltimore's hot starting quarterback Lamar Jackson and did just enough as a unit to ensure victory

The last time we saw the 49ers play they turned the ball over 4 times in the first half alone and lost a fumble in the 4th quarter and yet they still managed a victory when Jimmy Garoppolo threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis with 1:15 remaining. He went 23/32 for 277 yards and that game deciding touchdown. The ground game was key for the 49ers as they rushed the ball 40 times for 168 yards as a team. Raheem Mostert had 12 carries for 79 yards, Matt Breida had 14 carries for 68 yards, and Jeff Wilson Jr. had 8 carries for 18 yards including 2 big touchdowns. The Browns defense has been strong against the run all season and will be tested by this San Francisco running attack. Both teams have been two of the worst teams in the league over recent seasons so while there is reason for optimism for both there is also still a lot of doubt amongst their respective fan bases. The Browns have to be excited after putting up 40 points on a strong Ravens team. The 49ers suffered a significant loss in their latest win with a foot injury that will sideline corner Athello Witherspoon for at least a month. Witherspoon had been one of the bright spots for San Francisco this season as he bounced back from a rough second year. His injury will likely force Emmanuel Mosey into the starting lineup for the first time in his career. The Niners typically don't have top cornerback Richard Sherman follow No. 1 receivers, meaning Cleveland could force Moseley to match up often with Beckham.

This game is critical for both teams as it should be deemed winnable by both. A win for the Browns and they soaring and above 500 at 3-2. A win for the 49ers would mean a 4-0 record at the seasons quarter mark. Not bad for a team that won 10 combined games the previous 2 seasons