CLEVELAND — One week after beating the Dallas Cowboys 49-38 to solidify their best start since the 2001 season, the 3-1 Cleveland Browns will host the Indianapolis Colts (3-1) at FirstEnergy Stadium.
What follows is everything you need to know about the Browns' Week 5 matchup:
Game info, how to watch on TV, betting line:
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2020
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio
TV channel: CBS
Live Stream: CBS All Access
Radio: ESPN 850, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX
Betting line: Indianapolis -1
Over-under point total: 47
Game preview
Following a 38-6 season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns have reeled off three straight victories to solidify their best start in 19 years. In Indianapolis, however, Cleveland will face its toughest challenge of the season since that Week 1 loss, with the Colts riding a three-game winning streak of their own, which includes victories over the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Chicago Bears.
In many ways, Sunday's matchup could be defined by who's not on the field rather than who's on it. While Indianapolis lays claim to one of the best defenses in the league, it appears that star linebacker Darius Leonard will miss Sunday's contest, with the status of linebacker Anthony Walker and offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo also in question.
Meanwhile, the Browns will be without defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and cornerback Greedy Williams, while safety Karl Joseph was also a late addition to the team's injury chart. Star running back Nick Chubb will also be sidelined on Sunday as he continues to recover from an MCL injury suffered last week.
Nevertheless, between Odell Beckham Jr., Myles Garrett, Kareem Hunt, DeForest Buckner, T.Y. Hilton and Phillip Rivers there will still be plenty of star power at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday. And who advances to 4-1 on the season could very well come down to whose stars shine brighter.
Prediction
A banged-up Colts defense gives the Browns enough room to make they need to as Kareem Hunt reestablishes himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL. Phillip Rivers makes a late surge, but is unable to complete the comeback in Cleveland.
Final score: Browns 28, Colts 20