There have been plenty of issues with the Cleveland Browns over the years, but the biggest has to be their sad history with quarterbacks. However, it looks like they may have gotten one right for a change. After years of whiffs in the draft, the Brownies landed Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick in 2018. Making his NFL debut last week, Mayfield had a firm grasp of the offense, tossing a pair of touchdown passes in a Browns victory. Tyrod Taylor remains the team’s starter, according to Hue Jackson, but Mayfield will continue to get reps against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the preseason.
This Week 2 preseason matchup will go down Friday, August 17, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium. The game will be televised live on NFL Network.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Buffalo Bills +3.5
Cleveland Browns -3.5
Over/Under 38.5
Odds Analysis
At least the Browns haven’t been the worst team during the preseason. Hue Jackson is on a heater during the exhibition games, extending his winning streak to five straight with last week’s win over the Giants. The Browns are also 5-0 ATS in that span and opened as a 3.5-point favorite against the Bills. The Browns have also been an under bettors dream with the under 12-0-1 in their last 13 preseason contests.
Quarterback Rotation
There’s a saying in football that goes something like this: if you have two quarterbacks you have none. Well, the Buffalo Bills have three, and the competition for the starting job is far from over. Nathan Peterman got the start last week and was the most effective of the trio, completing 9 of 10 attempts for 119 yards with a touchdown. He did toss a pick so you could say he had a perfect night.
All three quarterbacks got playing time last week and nothing was resolved, meaning we’ll likely see them all again in Week 2. Peterman and A.J. McCarron were banged up in practice this week and that could limit their time behind center, but the injuries aren’t considered serious. Rookie Josh Allen isn’t expected to win the starting job, but he could get more snaps with the others hurt. Allen completed 9 of 19 for 116 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut.
All the hype is about Mayfield, but the Browns have their starter and Taylor was in command last week. He played two series in the opener completing all five pass attempts for 99 yards and a touchdown. Jackson knows what he has in Taylor, a veteran with impeccable credentials despite not being mentioned among the best in the game.
Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley were gushing over Mayfield’s performance against the Giants when he threw for 212 yards and a pair of scores while also converting a few third downs with his mobility. But they also realize that it’s one preseason game and the rookie has a long way to go. Mayfield will continue to get reps to absorb as much as he can.
Coaching History
Sean McDermott has other things to worry about. His quarterback situation needs to be resolved and he must deal with a receiver who seems more focused on Cam Newton than his own duties. LeSean McCoy could see some action this week, which makes the offense a threat and McDermott a better coach. McDermott’s preseason record fell to 1-4 SU and ATS with last week’s come-from-ahead loss to Carolina.
Jackson is counting on preseason victories translating into regular season wins this year. That didn’t happen last season. The Browns won all four exhibition matchups in 2017 only to go winless once the games actually counted. But this appears to be a different team and the coaching staff has changed as well. The Browns have won their last five preseason games under Jackson going 5-0 ATS.
Free ATS Pick
The Browns have been strong in the preseason the last two years and they opened with a convincing win over the Giants. We all know the preseason means nothing when it comes the meaningful games, but there is a sense around the Browns that they don’t want to be the patsies. They are much stronger at the QB spot with Taylor and Mayfield, even Roback looks like an upgrade over the other stiffs the Browns had previously.
More pressing for Buffalo right now is finding a solution to their quarterback conundrum. The trio looked good last week and all three will get reps as long as they are healthy. The Browns have plenty to prove and playing in front of the home fan for the first time should give them the goods to cover.
NFL Odds: Browns 23, Bills 18
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