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| Detroit Lions | Cleveland Browns |
| 3-2 | October 13, 2013, 01:00 | FirstEnergy Stadium | 3-2 |
Here's something you haven't been able to say in a while; it's October, and the Cleveland Browns are in first place.
And if early indications from the Brownies' competition in the AFC North means anything, they've got a chance to stay there.
Riding a three-game winning streak 3-2 Cleveland, working on a couple extra days off, hosts the 3-2 Detroit Lions Sunday afternoon (1 pm ET, Fox).
The Browns, who are going back to Brandon Weeden at QB because of an injury to Brian Hoyer, were early three-point home dogs against the Lions, who really missed WR Calvin Johnson in a loss Sunday in Green Bay.
View Detroit Lions vs Cleveland Browns Odds and Stats.
The visitors opened as 1.5-point favorites in this one at most sportsbooks tracked here at OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 45.5 at most shops.
The Power Rankings at OddsShark have the No. 22-rated Lions taking on the No. 16-rated Browns in this contest. Handicapping models indicate a 24-22 win for the Browns on Sunday.
The Lions were a 22-9 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Packers. They failed to cover the 11-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (31) made winners of UNDER bettors. The Lions suffered a Week 5 loss against Green Bay in their last game, falling 22-9 at Lambeau Field. The Browns grabbed a Week 5 victory over the Bills in their last game, winning 37-24 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Cleveland's No. 21-ranked offense (20.2 PPG) against a Lions defense that ranks No. 18 at 24.6 PPG. The Browns passing attack has averaged 238 yards per game, less than the Lions give up through the air (268.2 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Lions own the league's No. 16-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 116.5 yards per game when on the road. Cleveland, on the other hand, rates No. 27 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
A few Lions at Browns trends to consider:
Detroit is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games
Detroit is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
Next up:
Detroit at Cincinnati, Sunday, October 20th
Cleveland at Green Bay, Sunday, October 20th
