The Cleveland Browns have been an NFL laughingstock for years, but they could be the ones chuckling in 2019. Optimism is as high as it has been in a long time in Cleveland, as a promising roster is ready to take the field when the regular season begins. The Browns finished under .500 a year ago but still showed marked improvement, and could be poised for a playoff run. While that is often a pipe dream in Cleveland, the current NFL odds give the Browns a better-than-even chance of making it to the postseason this year. Change will truly be upon us if Cleveland can make the leap to not just respectability but the upper echelon of the AFC in 2019.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Browns odds to make the playoffs
Yes -135
No +105
Browns Playoff Odds Analysis
The Browns have plenty of hope this season due to their roster and the expected step back of a pair of teams in their division. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are two of the most successful franchises in the NFL the past couple decades but both lost some serious star power this offseason. Cleveland, meanwhile, loaded up and is now listed as the favorite to claim the AFC North.
Winning the division would result in an automatic berth into the playoffs, and there are also two wild card spots available if needed. The Browns will play the Ravens, Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals twice apiece this season, and will also have games against the Titans, Jets, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, Patriots, Broncos, Bills, Dolphins and Cardinals.
Cleveland Browns Odds
After years of searching, it seems like the Browns have finally found their quarterback. Baker Mayfield was impressive as a rookie and looks poised to live up to the billing of being the No. 1 overall pick. He now has a glut of options around him. The Browns traded for Odell Beckham, Jr. this offseason and he will pair with Jarvis Landry as a pair of talented pass-catchers. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are a pair of talented running backs, with the main question on offense coming on the offensive line. If Mayfield is given time to make throws, the offense could be ready to explode.
The offense could take a big step forward in 2019, and so could the defense. The Browns have Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon on the edge, and they will make life tough on opposing tackles. Sheldon Richardson is a force on the interior, while Denzel Ward, Damarious Randall and rookie Greedy Williams are a talented young core of defensive backs. The Browns have a lot of individual talent, and now it is just a question about everyone jelling and playing well together.
Key Stats or Trends
The Browns haven’t had a winning season since 2007, and there is a segment of the NFL world that is wondering if the lack of big-game experience will hurt this franchise in 2019. However, history is not expected to be a guide as players like Mayfield and Beckham do not have the type of personalities that shy away from big situations.
The Browns have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, and as long as Mayfield continues on his positive trajectory, this team is capable of winning 10 games or more. Cleveland seems poised to make a major step forward this year and it would not be a surprise at all to see it finally get back to the postseason.
Browns fans have lived through some disappointing years, but it seems like finally the patience of those diehards will pay off with a fun campaign.
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