Betting On The Browns Always Proves To Be A Gamble

• The Cleveland Browns were 9.5 point favorites at online sportsbooks on Sunday when they played the New York Jets but failed to cover.
• After Browns’ QB Baker Mayfield dropped the ball in what could have led to a tie for overtime, the Browns lost 23-16.

NEW YORK – The Cleveland Browns fell to 10-5 on Sunday after losing to the New York Jets who nailed down their second win of the season and are now 2-13, giving sports bettors a front-row seat in learning how betting on the Browns is always a true gamble.

In the days leading up to the game, Cleveland was heavily favored to win. Online sportsbooks had them as 9.5 point favorites on the spread despite all of their missing personal going into the match.

Based on team records alone, even a person that doesn’t gamble would deduce a Browns’ victory. So, what happened?

Browns Are Unlucky When It Comes To Player Consistency

Coming into the game, a handful of Browns players were sidelined because of Coronavirus contact tracing. Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and KhaDarel Hodge, all receivers, were unable to play. Left tackle Jederick Wills and right guard Wyatt Teller were also unable to play.

While that moved the lines for the game, Cleveland was still favored to win according to multiple online sportsbooks. The confidence was also on the side of the bettors as more than 80% of the betting handle for the game was laid on the Browns.

“The Browns, even though they were at minimal strength, took a bunch of money on the money line and on the side,” said Johnny Avello, DraftKings sportsbook director. “Once we got under a touchdown, they started to bet the Browns again.”

However, it all came down to QB Baker Mayfield and he couldn’t make it happen for his team.

The quarterback only needed to keep his hands on the ball and the outcome may have been wildly different but he was unable to do that. Mayfield took full responsibility after the game.

“I failed this team,” said Baker Mayfield after the game. “Plain and simple, I have to hold on to the damn ball.”

What Comes Next For Browns Bettors

The Cleveland Browns are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for second place in the AFC North. If they’d beaten the New York Jets as was expected, that would’ve given them the boost they needed to get into the postseason.

But their postseason hopes are now up in the air as they’ll need to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers to get there and the Steelers’ are a far more formidable opponent than the Jets, just looking at the 2020 season numbers alone.

The Pittsburgh Steelers just came off of a victory against the Indianapolis Colts 28-24.

The Cleveland Browns will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST. NFL betting odds have the Browns as 4.5 point underdogs against the Steelers and are currently sitting at +150 on the moneyline.

Browns fans are hoping for another betting shock, but this time, in a good way.

News tags: “First Things First” | AFC North | Baker Mayfield | Baltimore Ravens | Cleveland | Cleveland Browns | Coronavirus | COVID-19 | Donovan Peoples-Jones | FS1 | Jarvis Landry | KhaDarel Hodge | Michael Vick | New York Jets | Pittsburgh Steelers | Rashard Higgins