There is nowhere to go but up for the Cleveland Browns after becoming only the second team in NFL history to go winless in a 16-game season. Less than half the players from the 2017 opening-day roster remain on the club, a move that shouldn’t surprise people given what the Browns were able to accomplish last year. And it resulted in another good haul at the draft table. No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield will be the starter at some point, but Hue Jackson has delivered on his plan of starting Tyrod Taylor, at least until he fails and the losses start piling up. For the second straight season the Browns will play their Week 1 game at home against their AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 1 game is set for Sunday, September 9, 2018, at 1 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Field.
NFL Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Pittsburgh Steelers -5.5
Cleveland Browns +5.5
Over/Under 46.5
Odds Analysis
There hasn’t been a lot of movement on this line, even though the Steelers could be without one of their top offensive performers. The spread opened at Pittsburgh -6.5 and was wagered down to the current number with equal money wagered on both sides. I don’t see the line moving one way or the other unless something drastic happens before kickoff. Pittsburgh has won six straight in the series, but the Browns covered both games last year, losing both by a combined seven points. The total sits at 46.5.
Injury Report
Le’Veon Bell – It appears the only injury Bell is suffering from is to his ego. Not willing to sign the franchise tag, Bell has been out all of training camp and has yet to report. The Steelers are preparing to move on without him keeping Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley on the roster in case Bell isn’t available or has an unproductive start to the year. James Connor is in line to start, and although he’s proven to be a capable runner, he lacks the explosiveness and pass-catching ability of Bell.
Player to Watch
Once again the Browns are starting over at the most important position on the field. After watching DeShone Kizer lead the league with 22 interceptions last year, the position was overhauled. All three QB’s from 2017 are gone and Taylor was anointed the starter after he was acquired from Buffalo. It’s a tough situation for Taylor, who has been steady during his time. He led the Bills to the playoffs last season and was promptly let go.
Now he’s the starter ahead of No. 1 overall pick Mayfield and Taylor has to be looking over his shoulder. At the first sign of trouble is he yanked? Mayfield played well during the preseason and is further along in his development than most expected. And he is the quarterback of the future. Taylor will be the Browns 29th different starter since 1999 and he’s hoping the 30th comes later rather than sooner. And that’s all up to him.
Matchup to Watch
Given all their weaponry, the tight ends aren’t a huge part of Pittsburgh’s offense. But they are there for a reason and the group could be thinned by lingering injuries during training camp. The group has been set for some time with Vance McDonald, Jesse James and Xavier Grimble manning the position, however, James is the only healthy member of the group entering game week.
There are options if McDonald and Grimble aren’t ready by Sunday, but that gives the Browns defense an advantage. Not having to worry about a tight end in the passing game allows for coverage options on Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster, and the edge rushers could have a field day against players who might have difficulty holding up in pass protection.
Free ATS Pick
The Browns will be better in 2018, mainly because they can’t be worse. And they have made significant upgrades to their roster with nearly a 60 percent turnover from the start of last season. If Taylor performs the way he has throughout his career and he isn’t infected with the Cleveland crud, this team could pull off the upset on Sunday. They were close – twice – last season to beating Pittsburgh, and they just need a win to get the monkey off their back.
That win will come this season and a few more will follow, however it’s not going to happen this week. The Steelers have their own issues with Bell not reporting, but they are solid and Ben Roethlisberger has talent in the passing game. The defense is improved after last year’s shellacking in the playoffs, and Mike Tomlin doesn’t want to be the coach that loses to Cleveland. Recent form says this will be close, but I like the Steelers to win by at least a touchdown with under bettors getting a payout.
NFL Betting Odds: Steelers 23, Browns 16
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