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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs Cleveland Browns Preview, Predictions, Betting Odds, TV Info

By Andrew Melnick

Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cleveland Browns

Quarterback Brian Hoyer and the Cleveland Browns will try to improve to 5-3 when they host Mike Glennon and the 1-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Browns bounced back from a terrible loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 23-13 win over the Oakland Raiders while the Buccaneers fell to the Minnesota Vikings 19-13 in overtime, their third consecutive loss.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cleveland Browns viewing information:

Date: November 2, 2014
Start Time: 1:00 pm EST
Location: Cleveland, Ohio  
Stadium: FirstEnergy Stadium
TV Info: Fox/NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: NFL Audio Pass
Ticket information: For Tampa Bay Buccaneers ticket information, click here. For Cleveland Browns ticket information, click here.

Keys to Victory

For the Browns, the key to the game is pretty simply. They must avoid turnovers and be smart with the ball, which is something Hoyer has done well with throughout the season except for that loss to the Jaguars. In that game, he completed only 16-of-41 passes and threw an interception. The Browns have either won or been in every other game and Hoyer’s steady play has helped. They’d also like the run the ball better – Ben Tate has managed only 62 yards on 31 carries over the last two games – the Browns were one of the better rushing teams in the league over the first few weeks. As for the Buccaneers’ defense, Gerald McCoy is a monster inside but the Buccaneers have been awful – they’re 30th against the pass and 23rd against the run.

The Buccaneers have quite possibly been the worst team in football and although they have lost two games in overtime, they also have losses of 56-17 and 48-17 this season. Offensively, they haven’t able to run or pass, but have looked a little more able on offense with Glennon at quarterback. The Browns have been awful against the run so this may be Doug Martin’s chance to finally get going. Perhaps that’s how the Buccaneers can stay in this game and potentially eek out a second win.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: CLE 6.5
Moneyline: TB +240, CLE -285
O/U: 43.5

Prediction

The Browns have simply been the better team this season and they’re playing at home.

Final Score: Browns: 20, Buccaneers 10

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