Las Vegas views Browns as middle-of-the-pack team

Aug. 19—The start of the 2023 NFL season is three weeks away, and that means betting season is cranking up.

Odds calculated by Las Vegas bookmakers can be sobering for fans who let rooting interest get in the way of placing wagers. The Browns provide a great example.

Everything is in place for the Browns to return to the playoffs after a two-year absence. General Manager Andrew Berry transformed the defensive line in free agency and he used a trade (Elijah Moore) and the draft (Cedric Tillman) to boost the receiving corps. Berry added receivers Marquise Goodwin and Austin Watkins in free agency, though Goodwin is sidelined with blood clot problems. Tight end Jordan Akins is an under-the-radar addition to the pass catchers.

The biggest difference is Deshaun Watson is invigorated and determined to play the way he did with the Texans in 2020 when he passed for more than 4,800 yards and threw 33 touchdown passes. The Browns are convinced they have given him all the tools to make that happen.

Browns fans might have the fever with all the improvements, but Las Vegas isn't convinced.

According to Caesars Sportsbook odds in a story posted by ESPN, the Chiefs are favorites to win the Super Bowl at plus-600, meaning a $100 wager would return a $600 profit. The Chiefs, plus 11 other teams, have better odds than the Browns, who are plus-3500.

The Bengals and Ravens both have better odds than the Browns in the AFC North. The Bengals, defending division champs, are plus-1000. They have the fifth-best odds behind the Chiefs, Eagles (plus-750) and Bills and 49ers (both plus-900).

The Ravens are listed at plus-2000. The Browns have better odds than the Steelers, who are plus-6000.

Caesars has set the over-under for wins by the Browns at 9.5. They were 7-10 in 2022 and last in the AFC North. The odds to make the playoffs, despite having the Bengals and Ravens with better Super Bowl odds, is plus-100, which is tied for 14th in the NFL.

—Another betting site, betonline.org, has some tantalizing wagers for anyone inclined to bet on the season Nick Chubb has. The over-under for his rushing yardage is 1,225.5 yards. The over-under on his touchdown total is 9.5.

—Wide receiver Austin Watkins has been the surprise sensation of practice and the three preseason games the Browns have played. He caught seven passes for 139 yards in the 18-18 tie with the Eagles on Aug. 17. One was for 32 yards and a touchdown on a pass from Kellen Mond. He caught eight passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the first two preseason games.

Coach Kevin Stefanski isn't ready to say Watkins has earned a roster spot. But it is definitely going to be difficult to sneak him through to the practice squad if the Browns don't make him part of the 53-man roster.

"The tape is your resume," Stefanski said. "So I think for all of our players, you want to go out and be very productive in practice, be very productive in these games. Austin obviously had a big night (vs. the Eagles) and continues to do a good job for us. All of the rest of it and how that sorts out, that's why we have camp, that's why we have another preseason game. But excited about what he's able to do."

Watkins attended Dodge City Community College after high school and finished his college career at University of Alabama Birmingham. He signed with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie in 2021, signed a reserve/futures contract with the Buccaneers and signed with Saskatchewan of the CFL before latching onto the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL in 2022.

Watkins played for the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL in 2023, where he caught 16 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown in seven games. He was released from his USFL contract on July 22 so he could sign with the Browns.

If Watkins played elsewhere as he has in his brief time with the Browns he never would be in a Cleveland uniform today.

"I think everybody's path is a little bit different, and we all are kind of growing at a different pace, if you will," Stefanski said. "And where he is now, he's certainly a pro. I mean, he takes care of his business. Those spring leagues, those are reps.

"Those are just great opportunities for guys to get reps in games, reps in practice, really just to continue to work on their craft. So I think you do see a player that continues to improve."

Watkins gives the Browns a deep threat that will open room underneath for Moore and Akins.

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