Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Week 9: Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns betting picks, preview

By Griffin Carroll | Last updated Nov 2, 2023 8:50 PM ET

It's unclear if Deshaun Watson will suit up in Week 9, which could open the door for a simply premier quarterback battle between Clayton Tune and PJ Walker in this Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns matchup. What to do here?

Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns: Betting Odds

Spread: Cleveland -7.5, Over/under: 37.5 points, Arizona +275 | Cleveland -345

Arizona traded QB Joshua Dobbs to the Minnesota Vikings and have handed their 1-7 squad over to rookie passer Clayton Tune. The Cardinals own the worst record in the NFL at 1-7 and have a particularly weak rush defense that might be an issue against a Cleveland offense that tends to let their offensive line and running backs get to business.

The Browns have been a very competitive team this season, sitting at 4-3. Cleveland just fell to Seattle 24-20, and it really feels like if this team just had average quarterback play that they'd be a lock for the playoffs.

Deshaun Watson is practicing this week but it remains unclear if he'll play with a shoulder injury, which suggests PJ Walker may play for the fourth-straight game.

Arizona is 4-4 ATS this season and Cleveland is 3-3-1. The Browns are 4-3 to the over while the Cardinals are 5-3, making this low over/under of 37.5 points an intriguing angle.

Betting Picks for Arizona vs. Cleveland

Browns -7.5 (-112 DK)

This is a tough number to back, but it still feels like the appropriate path against a Clayton Tune-led offense. How can we possibly back Tune here with a substandard group of skill-position players?

Arizona has lost seven of eight games on the season, and four of their last five defeats have come by double-digit points.

As alluded to above, Arizona has really had issues slowing down the run-game. The Cardinals are the second-worst rated run defense in DVOA, and that is a problem against this offensive line.

Cleveland is going to play their smothering brand of defensive football and make Tune's first start a disaster while controlling the pace on offense. Back the Browns against the spread at home.

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Griffin Carroll

Griffin Carroll is focused on bringing you the betting numbers that matter. With a focus on the NFL, NHL and NBA, Griffin relies on a data-driven betting approach for prop bets, spread picks and over/unders.

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