NFL Week 5: Browns vs. Commanders Expert Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets

Browns vs. Commanders in Week 5 is a battle between two teams looking to establish themselves as playoff contenders in the NFL.

The Browns vs. Commanders is Week 5, a clash between one of the league’s most dynamic young quarterbacks and a Browns team searching for answers. Rookie Jayden Daniels has taken Washington by storm, leading them to a 3-1 start with a historic beginning to his NFL career. But this week, Daniels faces a new challenge—a Cleveland defense that’s been one of the best in the league, especially in the secondary.

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Punts 📉 @LRiddickESPN gives Jayden Daniels his flowers after a historic start. #NFLTurningPoint pic.twitter.com/FqRSS21gSg

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) October 2, 2024

For Cleveland, defense has been the bright spot in an otherwise difficult season. The real struggle lies in the offense, where the Browns rank dead last in yards per play and near the bottom in passing yards. Deshaun Watson, a quarterback once considered among the league’s elite, has thrown for just 727 yards through four games.

Injuries have taken their toll. Cleveland’s offensive line has been decimated, with Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin, and Ethan Pocic all missing time, leaving Watson vulnerable and out of rhythm. But there is a glimmer of hope—tight end David Njoku could return this week, offering Watson another reliable option in the passing game.

For the Browns, this game is about survival and finding a way to overcome adversity. For the Commanders, it’s a chance for their rookie sensation to continue his rise, facing one of the most formidable defenses he’ll see this season. Both teams know the stakes are rising, and every snap brings them closer to defining their season.

Check out our Browns vs. Commanders expert picks, predictions, and best bets.

Browns vs. Commanders Betting Preview

All Browns vs. Commanders odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Oct. 2.

• Spread
  Commanders -3
• Moneyline
  Browns +140, Commanders -170
• Over/Under
  44.5
• Game Time
   1:00 p.m. ET
• Location
  Northwest Stadium | Landover, MD
• Predicted Weather at Kick
  73 degrees, mostly sunny
• How To Watch
  FOX

Check out all of our expert picks, predictions, and best bets! 

The Cleveland Browns head to Washington as +3.5 underdogs, with a 44.5-point total looming over Sunday’s matchup. The Browns, sitting at 1-3, are a team that could easily be 3-1 if not for a couple of unlucky breaks in recent weeks.

Conversely, the Commanders are riding a wave of momentum behind rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose play has taken the league by storm. Completing 82.1% of his passes for 897 yards and three touchdowns—with just one interception—Daniels has also made his mark on the ground, racking up 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His dual-threat abilities have made Washington a dangerous team, but now, Daniels faces his toughest defensive test yet.

For Cleveland, the offense continues to sputter under quarterback Deshaun Watson. Their most recent stumble came in a loss to the Raiders, leaving many questioning if this Browns offense can find any consistency. However, there may be hope on the horizon. Star running back Nick Chubb is expected to return from the PUP list, and if he does, the Browns’ ground game will receive an immediate boost. Chubb, averaging 6.1 yards per carry before a season-ending injury in 2023, could change the entire dynamic for Cleveland’s struggling offense.

Yet, facing Dan Quinn’s defense is not what the Browns need right now. This will be the most formidable defense Daniels has faced, but Washington is playing with confidence. And with Cleveland’s offensive inconsistencies, I’m not sure the Browns will have enough firepower to pull this one out. The Commanders, with their rookie sensation leading the way, seem poised to continue their hot streak.

The Prediction: Commanders 23 -Browns 17

Best Bet: Commanders -3