NFL Week 5 Picks: Patriots Vs. Browns Odds, Analysis, Predictions

Editor’s note: NESN.com’s Mike Cole, Ricky Doyle and Andre Khatchaturian deliver their NFL picks every Thursday of the season, and here’s who they like in the New England Patriots-Cleveland Browns Week 5 game, with the line from OddsShark.

(-10) New England Patriots (3-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-4), 1 p.m.
Mike: Browns. As OddsShark points out, the Patriots are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games as road favorites and 1-3 straight-up in their last four against AFC North teams. That 90 percent of bets are coming in on the Patriots also scares me because Vegas is smarter than us … despite apparently overrating the Patriots on the road in 14 of those 19 games.
Ricky: Patriots. Listen, I’m sick of the whole Tom Brady revenge storyline. Wasn’t last season supposed to be his revenge tour? How many revenge tours can one man have? Plus, wasn’t he already, like, the most motivated guy on the planet? Anyway, in spite of my obvious frustration, I’m still taking the Patriots here; partly to be the contrarian on staff and partly because I expect New England’s offense to look really, really good with Brady back the helm. This is the week Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski break out.
Andre: Browns. For a team like the Browns to pull off an upset like this, they?re going to need some big plays and also control time of possession. Well, guess what? Cleveland leads the league in explosive plays (31!) and rushing yards per attempt (5.7 yards per attempt). New England?s defense (5.6 y/a against– 20th) has been a huge disappointment so far this season. I also think we?ll see some rust from Brady, who hasn?t been with the team in a month. The Browns not only cover, but they win! Take it to the bank!