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The Cleveland Browns can smell the postseason after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, currently holding the AFC’s fifth playoff spot. But they face an improving Chicago Bears team who boast one of the league’s best run defenses. The Bears might not be battling for playoff positioning (although it’s not out of the question entirely), but they will have their eyes set on a strong finish.

Below, we offer some best bets and prop picks for the game, as well as how best to bet on Sunday’s clash.

NFL Week 15 Bears vs. Browns odds preview

The 5-8 Bears visit the 8-5 Browns on Sunday afternoon in Week 15 with both teams having put another one in the win column in Week 14.

Chicago won 28-13 against the Detroit Lions, a statement win over an NFC North foe that made it back-to-back wins for the first time since Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2021 season. The Bears have now won three of their last four and are looking better every week.

Justin Fields had a big day at Soldier Field against the Lions, going 19-of-33 for 223 yards and a touchdown. Fields was also Chicago’s leading rusher with 12 carries for 58 yards and a score on the ground.

Add in the fact that the Bears have the league’s second-strongest defense against the run and this will be a real test for Cleveland despite the fact Chicago has only extremely slim playoff hopes to fight for.

The Browns have a fearsome rearguard of their own, the NFL’s No. 1 pass defense and a D which also ranks top for points allowed. Cleveland hit a high note last week with a 31-27 win over the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars that kept them in prime positioning for an AFC wildcard spot.

The Browns are moving forward with veteran Joe Flacco as their quarterback after the 38-year-old signed a one-year active roster deal on Thursday. The former Super Bowl MVP underpinned the 31-27 victory over the Jaguars. He threw for 311 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, becoming the fourth Browns starting QB to win a game this year, while Cleveland’s defense sacked Trevor Lawrence four times and intercepted three times.

Kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium is at noon CT live on FOX. The Browns are three-point favorites at home.

NFL Week 15 Bears vs. Browns best bet: Bears +3 (-105 or better)

This one could be a very competitive game. Cleveland’s offense has stabilized under Flacco, and they badly need the win to keep pushing for the postseason. But allow me to make the case for taking the Bears ATS on the road.

Chicago’s improvement is clear to see. The Bears have covered in four of their last five games (and each of their last four as underdogs), built on their defensive improvement; since Week 9, the Bears are ninth in scoring defense, tied for second in takeaways, and fifth in yards per game allowed. They have held the last four opposing QBs to just 191 passing yards per game, accumulating nine interceptions in that time, and sacked Jared Goff four times while limiting Detroit to 13 first downs and 13 points.

Meanwhile, the Bears’ offense is fourth in the NFL in rush yards per game, averaging 138 each week. And the Browns’ defense, held up as a benchmark in the league this year, has cracks when you look closely. Cleveland has allowed the 10th-most EPA per carry over its last six contests and has allowed 323 yards and a whopping 31 points per game in four of the last five games. Whether these trends continue remains to be seen, but they’re enough to consider the Bears at least keeping this game tight, if not winning outright.

NFL Week 15 Bears vs. Browns player prop: Justin Fields over 245.5 combined passing and rushing yards (-115 at BetMGM)

Given all of the above, Fields is exactly the kind of two-way QB who can take advantage in Cleveland this weekend.

His future in Chicago may still be uncertain, but Fields’ passing game has been a slow burner this year that may have finally caught fire. He has a 104.5 rating in his past six games while throwing for 1,284 yards, 10 touchdowns, and two interceptions. Since returning from injury in Week 11, Fields has two passing touchdowns and one rushing score and hasn’t thrown a single interception.

The Browns are an aggressive defending team, but Fields is very mobile, not only finding his range with the pass but also leading his team with 458 rushing yards. In three games since returning from injury, he’s accumulated 830 total yards and has led the team to two wins. He’s dialed in to his top playmaker D.J. Moore but also has seen success finding Cole Kmet, and the Browns’ linebackers have faced troubles against tight ends this year. With the Browns’ defense showing signs of struggling and noticeably tiring as they gave up two fourth-quarter TDs to the Jaguars, Fields and the Bears’ rushing attack can take advantage.

NFL Week 15 Bears vs. Browns best bets: How to claim your sports betting bonus, best NFL promotions

Taking advantage of one of our sportsbook welcome promos to place your bet on the game couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is follow this handy guide:

• Click one of our promo code links and sign up using our code where applicable.
• Make a first deposit of the qualifying amount through an approved method.
• Place a qualifying first bet on the market of your choice.

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• Odds boosts: Receive enhanced odds on select markets.
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