The 2023 NFL Season could be a pivotal one for the Cleveland Browns. After going 11-5 and winning a playoff game in 2020, the Browns have had consecutive losing seasons and it might have head coach Kevin Stefanski on the hot seat.
FanDuel Sportsbook has Cleveland’s win total set at 9.5. The Browns are +106 to go over that total and -134 to go under. They are +112 to make the playoffs.
The Browns are in a tough AFC North division that their state rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, have begun to take ownership of. But things change quickly in the NFL and the oddsmakers are generally optimistic about Cleveland, especially with quarterback Deshaun Watson in football shape and ready to go.
The AFC North is expected to be tight and the betting odds reflect that. Cincinnati is the favorite to win the division at +150, but the Ravens (+210), Browns (+400) and Steelers (+470) are not too far off. Cleveland is +1800 to win the AFC, the ninth-best odds on the board, and +3000 to win the Super Bowl, the 13th-best odds on the board.
Watson hasn’t started an NFL opener since 2020, but that season he threw for a league-leading 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. That’s why it’s no surprise that Watson is +2500 to win the NFL MVP at FanDuel Sportsbook. Those odds are the 12th best on the board, ahead of players like Russell Wilson (+4000) and Kirk Cousins (+5000). Patrick Mahomes is the betting favorite to win his third MVP award at +600.
If the NFL MVP Award has become a quarterbacks award, the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award is usually reserved for the skill positions. Browns running back Nick Chubb has the fourth-best odds on FanDuel at +1800, behind Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase (+1100), Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson (+1400) and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (+1400). Chubb is tied with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as the +750 betting favorite to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns.
Cleveland has a couple of long shots on the board, as well, with wide receiver Amari Cooper at +12000 and tight end David Njoku at +20000.
On the defensive side of the ball, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has established himself as one of the top defensive linemen in the game and he’s +600 to win the AP Defensive Player of the Year, just behind betting favorite Micah Parsons (+500). Garrett had 16 sacks last season and finished fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. He is the betting favorite to lead the league in sacks at +650.
