Super Bowl Path: Cleveland Browns Future Betting Odds
Browns’ Future Shrouded in Mystery Following Watson’s Fate
Good luck figuring out what will happen with the Cleveland Browns this season. Some of the Cleveland Browns’ future betting odds are still off the board thanks to the absence of their new quarterback, Deshaun Watson. The much-accused acquisition will miss the first 11 games of the season leaving Cleveland with Jacoby Brissett.
The AFC North is one of the NFL’s fiercest divisions and Cleveland will face their division rivals once each before Watson is eligible to return. Cleveland acquired four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper and drafted David Bell. They’re the only notable players in this position. It could be tough for Cleveland to beat teams via its passing game so it will be up to the running game and the defense to carry the team.
Take a look at the PointSpreads page, and keep updated with the NFL news, and many more player totals in our Cleveland Browns stats.
Fortunately for Cleveland, most of its top-rated offensive line is back. It should be healthier too so both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt can continue shredding defenses. Speaking of, Myles Garrett should continue to wreak havoc and lead the Cleveland Browns’ stats on ‘D’. He’ll be joined by the returning Jadeveon Clowney while Denzel Ward anchors the secondary. If the defense is a top-10 unit, Cleveland might just beat expectations as most bettors are fading them hard on the sportsbook.
Brissett Can Keep It Simple
Jacoby Brissett
- Passing Yards: OTB
- Passing Touchdowns: OTB
- Interceptions: OTB
Brissett finds himself at a third chance to start for NFL teams. In two (nearly) full seasons as a starter, Brissett averaged a passer rating of at least 81.7. He threw a career-high 3,098 yards in 2017 with the Colts and a career-high 18 passing touchdowns in 2019 with the same team. Since then, he’s been relegated to backup duties. Last season, he played 11 games and started five for Miami when Tua Tagovailoa got hurt.
The 29-year-old completed 62.7 percent of his passes but threw four picks to just five touchdowns. His 78.1 passer rating was his lowest in seasons where he started in at least one game. It’s partly rust and partly because the Dolphins had one of the worst offensive lines. Brissett has been under siege for most of his time as a QB. The Browns’ current o-line will be the best he’ll play behind.
As such, Brissett should put up modest stats but at an efficient rate. He does not need to play the hero here. The running game will do the heavy lifting and the defense will look to keep the Browns in the game. If Brissett can limit his mistakes and move the chains consistently enough, Cleveland could be in a playoff spot when Watson returns.
Cooper and Bell Must Excel for The Browns’ Passing Game
Amari Cooper
- Receptions: OTB
- Receiving Yards: OTB
- Receiving Touchdowns: OTB
Once upon a time, Cooper was one of the NFL’s best receivers. He made four Pro Bowls and has eclipsed 1,000+ receiving yards in four of the seven seasons he’s played. But he’s also on his third team and underwhelmed in Dallas last season. With Brissett throwing him the ball for most of the season, Cooper may not break 1,000 yards again; however, he will be Cleveland’s biggest touchdown threat among the receivers.
Cooper’s biggest competition for catches will be Bell, the Browns’ third-round pick this year, and tight end David Njoku. But Bell is unproven and slipped in the draft because scouts were concerned about his ability to succeed in the NFL while Njoku has been frustratingly inconsistent. As such, Cooper will command the lion’s share of targets for the team. For Cleveland’s sake, his catch rate needs to be better than the 57.7 percent he averaged in 2021.
David Bell
- Receptions: OTB
- Receiving Yards: OTB
- Receiving Touchdowns: OTB
Bell will have plenty to prove when he debuts with the Browns. Next to Cooper, Bell will have a lot of opportunities to rack up stats. He’s slated to be the team’s slot receiver and is ahead of fellow rookies in Michael Woods II and Mike Harley Jr. The 21-year-old was a star with Purdue and was a Consensus First-Team All-American in 2021 as he caught 93 passes for 1,286 yards in 11 games.
Something to keep in Mind: Bell did not fair too well in the combine and scouts doubted his ability to separate from defenders. He’s also a tad too physical and undisciplined. If he gets penalized one too many times, he could find himself in the coach’s doghouse. He’s listed at 25-1 (+2500) to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year, which seems too short considering his high potential to bust. Still, he could rack up receptions and be a focal point on Cleveland’s thin receiving corps.
Browns’ Defense Must Make More Plays
Myles Garrett
- Sacks: 13.25
At 7-1 (+700), Garrett is the co-favorite to win Defensive player of the Year this 2022 per the NFL future odds. The three-time All-Pro finished with a career-high 16.0 sacks last season. It also marks the fourth straight season where he’s racked up double-digit sack totals. He actually slowed down towards the season’s end as he had just 1.0 sacks in his final four games.
But as he proved against Chicago, where he registered a franchise-record 4.5 sacks, Garrett is explosive and can make life a living hell for any quarterback. The 13.25 sack totals he’s lined with are just above his average of 13.0 from his previous four seasons. Cleveland ranked 21st in pressure rate last season so Garrett still has plenty of work to do.
Denzel Ward
- Interceptions: 2.5
On the secondary, Ward will continue locking down the opponent’s top receiver. He’s been consistent in his four seasons in Cleveland, picking off two to three passes a season. Ward would average more but opposing quarterbacks know better than to throw in his direction. In fact, Ward may not get a lot of picks but his teammates in Greg Newsome and Greedy Williams may be the benefactors.
Cleveland was a top-10 team in limiting opponents’ completion rates on defense. But the rest of the passing stats were average or worse. For the Cleveland Browns’ future betting odds to get better, Ward and the secondary will need to continue locking down the perimeter.
