The NFL has enough parity that the majority of teams head into the season with the realistic goal of making it to the playoffs, but that might not be the case for the Cleveland Browns. The team is coming off a 3-13 season and is projected to once again be one of the worst in the league. The Browns’ odds of making the playoffs are set at +600, while they will pay out at -1000 if the team misses out on the postseason in NFL gambling.
If the Browns shock the NFL and make it into the postseason, it will likely be on the strength of quarterback Robert Griffin III. He isn’t even certain to start at this point, but Griffin III is a former top pick who did show his ability early in his career with the Washington Redskins. Griffin hasn’t been effective for several years but has a higher ceiling than the other signal-callers on the roster. Last season the Browns were 30th in the NFL, averaging only 17.4 points per game. The team hoped Johnny Manziel would become the franchise quarterback, but his off-field issues torpedoed that and he was released in the offseason. Cleveland allowed many of its best players to leave in free agency, including star center Alex Mack, and it’s clear the franchise is going through a rebuild. Corey Coleman was a first round pick and he will aim to add a speed element at wide receiver.
The defense gave up 27 points per game, which was 29th in the NFL. Cornerback Joe Haden dealt with concussion issues throughout the season and hopes to get back to his impressive cover ability. The Browns released leading tackler Karlos Dansby and second-leading tackler Donte Whitney as they hope some young players can step in and fill those voids. Defensive ends Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib were taken in the early rounds of the draft as the team aims to build that way as opposed to looking for quick fixes.
The Browns had the No. 2 pick in the draft and could have taken quarterback Carson Wentz, but instead traded down with the Philadelphia Eagles for a bounty of five draft selections. It is a prudent move for a franchise which is now under new leadership in the front office, and it could bode well down the road. However, in the present the Browns might actually take a step backward despite winning only three games a year ago. Cleveland has the Cavaliers so the city is feeling good when it comes to the NBA, but the Browns are in full rebuild mode. It would be a minor miracle if the Browns were somehow able to scratch their way into the playoffs. As the odds reflect, they are longshots to do so and instead will likely finish near the bottom of the rung in the AFC. Even though it only pays off at -1000, choosing the Browns to miss the postseason could be one of the safer bets for this upcoming season in NFL gambling.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook for the playoff chances for the Cleveland Browns, who are expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2016 and therefore have long odds in making it to the postseason behind Robert Griffin III, Joe Haden, Gary Barnidge and Corey Coleman! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today!
