Coming off of a shocking and much-needed ugly win against the San Francisco 49ers a week ago, the Cleveland Browns are riding high as they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. Can they avoid a trap game the way the Niners were unable to a week ago? The Browns will get quarterback Deshaun Watson back into the lineup but may be without running back Kareem Hunt.
The Browns have not won back-to-back games yet this season, but will look to do so for the first time today. If they do, they will advance to 4-2 on the season for the first time in three years. Sitting at 3-3, the Colts are looking to prove their season is not over despite the loss of Anthony Richardson. Can they get the job done against the underdog Colts led by Gardner Minshew?
Here are our Browns Wire staff predictions for this Week 7 AFC showdown between the visiting Cleveland football team and the Colts.
Jacob Roach (@roachizm13): Browns over Colts
It seems likely that the Browns will see the return of Deshaun Watson as the team hits the road to face the Colts. It likely won’t be a huge day for the offense as he will likely need to work his way back slowly. But it’s a great week to lean on the running game as the tape shows you can run the ball against the Colts.
The defense will look to continue their dominance facing a struggling offensive line that will be without their starting right tackle. But the Colts can still run the ball and do it with the two-headed monster of Zack Moss and Jonathan Taylor. In the end, I think the Browns are just more talented than the Colts and I’ll take the Browns to get their fourth win 27-13.
Browns Alchemy (@BrownsAlchemy): Colts over Browns
Riding high off a win against the 49ers, the Browns will fall short to the Colts 10-13. The return of Deshaun Watson won’t make life easy for the Browns. Watson has played poorly when pressured and an injured Watson will be even more erratic than usual. An interception could give the Colts a lead, two interceptions could seal the game for them.
The Browns need to find a stable force for their offense. Amari Cooper has the ability for that role, but he needs a quarterback who can get him the ball. The Browns’ defense will shut down the Colts’ passing attack. The Colts’ run game should be kept in check, Jonathan Taylor is still recovering from his back injury and hasn’t yet returned to form.
However, the running back is a touchdown threat anytime he gets the ball. He will score the Colts’ lone touchdown on a long run. A few costly turnovers from the offense will gift-wrap the Colts the win.
Cory Kinnan (@fakecorykinnan): Browns over Colts
The Browns enter this week in the complete opposite position of where they were a week ago. Last week, they caught the Niners in a trap game, and this one feels similar for the reverse reason as they take on the Colts. However, this year’s Cleveland Browns has shown more fortitude and fight to overcome lapses than previous teams.
With Watson returning to the lineup, the Browns return to the heights of where their offense was against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. This defense continues to swarm a banged-up and less-talented offensive line and get after Minshew. If the Browns can win on first down against Taylor and the Colts, they will sit pretty in this game.
Browns win: 28-10
