Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Think back to the preseason, look at the names on each roster, and try to decide which of these two teams is 6-4 while the other is 4-6. Outside of Ohio, few people would have correctly placed the right record with its respective team. In fact, after watching both teams play their first eight games, the disparity in performance was so great that Cleveland would have easily been the favorite had this matchup occurred a few weeks prior.
Has that much really changed in a week or two?
No one bought into the Cleveland Browns for a long time. The expectation was that the same team that had struggled in Cleveland for years would somehow find a way to squander its position atop the AFC North this year. Finally, after a nationally televised thrashing of the Bengals, people started to believe.
They were quickly reminded why it took so long to jump on board.
The quick change from ‘Cinderella Team’ to ‘Browns of the past decade’ did not happen solely based on their loss to the Texans in Week 11. Instead, that was merely a confirmation that they had been playing above their heads for too long. Their top-ten scoring defense still allows the eleventh-most yards per game and ranks second-worst in rush yards allowed.
While Cleveland may very well be approaching the beginning of a potential downslide, the Atlanta Falcons suddenly find themselves atop the putrid NFC South. With enough weapons to actually win games, it is surprising it has taken so long for them to get on track, but now with a lead to protect and a home game on the slate, the Falcons have the edge.
Atlanta wins by six and covers.
