Buccaneers vs Browns Week 12: Browns Defense Struggling to Stop the Rushing Attack

• At 5-5 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are atop the NFC South with a top-7 defense

• The 3-7 Cleveland Browns defense has been struggling to stop the rushing attack

• Watch Buccaneers vs Browns live on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, at 1:00 PM ET on FOX

Buccaneers vs Browns Week 12 Odds

Buccaneers vs Browns Week 12 Picks

POINT SPREAD: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3.0 (-110) at Caesars

POINTS TOTAL: Under 43 (-110) at BetMGM

MONEY LINE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-165) at DraftKings

POINT SPREAD: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3.0 (-110) at Caesars

An exciting part of the NFL’s Week 12 Thanksgiving weekend lineup is this interconference matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the NFC South and the Cleveland Browns of the AFC North, both teams are underperforming this year with the 5-5 Bucs and their GOAT QB Tom Brady still in divisional first and the Browns with QB Jacoby Brissett for just one more game.

The Browns have lost six of their last seven games and have failed to cover the spread in each of their previous five games in November, so the idea that they might do it now during such a downward spiral seems unlikely, especially given the oddsmakers are handing out so few points and that the Buccaneers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against the Browns.

Cleveland’s defense has not been effective against the run lately. Still, fortunately for them, they will be facing the Bucs' 32nd-ranked rushing attack that averages just under 71 ground yards per game. However, other weak run games have thrived against DC Joe Woods’ scheme despite having some of the best playmakers in the league – DE Myles Garrett and CB Denzel Ward.

POINTS TOTAL: Under 43 (-110) at BetMGM

For those new to sports gambling, the points total bet has you guessing whether the total number of points the two teams score combined will go over or under what the oddsmakers predict, this wager is based mostly on luck but also on the type of offenses and defenses each team fields as well as how banged up each side is and what type of weather they must endure.

In this matchup, the Browns’ 4th ranked offense generates 24 points per game while Tom Brady’s Bucs put 18.3 points per game on the scoreboard, that 42.3 total just under what the oddsmakers predict, whereas Tampa Bay’s top-7 defense allows 18 points per game and Cleveland’s 20th ranked D gives up 26.9 ppg for a total of 44.9 just over what this bet allows.

Keep in mind that each of Tampa Bays’ last four road games have gone under the total points line and Cleveland is 7-3 on the over in the last 10 games, so it could come down to injuries and Cleveland’s lakeside November weather so check back at a game time before you place any wagers since it could get cold plus the injured players who are questionable could still suit up.

MONEY LINE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-165) at DraftKings

The Browns have lost six of their last seven games so you can forgive their fans for wondering if they will be able to take care of business in Week 12, but their 4th ranked offense led by backup QB Jacoby Brissett is not the problem, it’s more a defensive issue with communication being the fatal flaw for this Joe Woods group ranked 23rd against the run, with big plays allowed far too often.

With a money line bet, the gamble is whether your team can win outright, and in this case, these two football franchises are (more or less) evenly matched, though it depends on which version of the Browns shows up and whether Tampa Bay can figure out how to run the ball, with a $100 money line bet on the Browns paying out $140 plus the wager if they pull out an underdog win.

For Buccaneers fans, it will take a $165 money line bet to win $100 plus your initial investment, a risky venture given Tampa Bay’s offensive line will have to fight back Browns star DE Myles Garrett who already has 8.5 sacks this season helped by his partner in QB-hunting-crime DE Jadeveon Clowney who has 1.5 sacks and 2 QB hits, a duo that Tampa DE William Gholston must help neutralize.

How to Watch Buccaneers vs Browns

• What: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cleveland Browns

• Where: FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH

• When: Sunday, November 27, 2022, at 1:00 PM ET

• How: FOX