Both Buffalo and Cleveland fell in their preseason openers. While the Bills lost by a single point and the Browns by just three, each cost their bettors money as well. Something has to give here in preseason Week 2.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Dating back to the 2014 regular season, the Browns have now dropped six straight games, but are just 3-3 ATS in that span. Though as the home team, Cleveland is likely to be favored over Buffalo who is now 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
While neither team is a good bet to win SU, the Bills have shown the ability to beat the spread with each team proving the ‘under’ to be a viable bet with the Browns playing to low scorers in six straight and the Bills in seven of nine dating back to midseason last year.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Browns’ starter Josh McCown attempted five passes in Week 1, completing all five for 33 yards and a touchdown against the Redskins. It was a very good start for the veteran who is expected to get more playing time here in Week 2.
Backup Johnny Manziel also played well and is expected to see a good deal of playing time again here in Week 2.
Manziel did manage just 42 yards in the air, going 7 for 11, but added 14 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to the mix on just two carries.
Johnny Football has impressed the coaching staff and his teammates with his work ethic and improvement all camp and did nothing to discourage that in Week 1.
The Bills have yet to establish who will start for them in the regular season and saw eight attempts a piece from Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel, each of whom is competing for the top spot.
Cassel is the veteran and went 7 for 8, but managed just 45 yards in those seven completions while Taylor was 5 for 8 for 49 yards and Manuel 4 for 8 for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Rex Ryan has yet to announce the starter so each is likely to see plenty of looks in Week 2.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
There is an interesting dynamic here as Mike Pettine and Rex Ryan are close with Pettine crediting Ryan for helping him advance his career.
In the preseason opener, Ryan showed that he was undecided about who plays under center and used the first game as a chance to see equal time from his three challengers. He will repeat that in Week 2.
Ryan has shown he likes to win in the preseason, but doesn’t value it above all else. His Jets were 2-2 last year and 3-1 in 2013, but failed to win a preseason game in 2012.
QUOTE TO NOTE
With an uncertainty at quarterback, the Bills will need big production on the ground. To help with that, the Bills brought in former Eagles’ running back LeSean McCoy. He, however, managed just 16 yards on six carries. After the game, McCoy spoke about his poor debut, saying:
“I have to get a lot better. I need to get my reads better. I didn’t play well today. I need to knock this rust off and get back into the groove of things.”
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Bills’ quarterback battle is the biggest one to keep an eye on. Because it involves three players, that will be a driving force for Buffalo’s game plan once again and we should get a chance to see each player in another sizeable sample size.
INJURIES
Quarterback Connor Shaw saw some action under center for the Browns in Week 1, but will not play for the rest of the preseason due to a broken thumb, likely giving Manziel a few more snaps.
Meanwhile, Jarius Wynn was knocked out of the Bills’ first game and the defensive end tore his ACL which is expected to keep him out for rest of the year.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
During the regular season last year, Buffalo beat Cleveland pretty handily. I look for the Bills to have the upper hand again on Thursday. Buffalo will see more playing time for its potential starters at quarterback and McCoy will have extra motivation to produce on the ground after a rough Week 1.
Buffalo 20, Cleveland 13
The NFL odds for this Thursday contest will be first released by BookMaker. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns will start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 20, 2015, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
