It might be a little late to get in the game playing the Browns under as eight and the hook was available for most of the summer. That said, Vegas is not blind or stupid and the 8.5 was definitely a number that definitely needed to be adjusted after Cleveland’s horrific winless preseason.
Looking back at the Browns breakout season last year, you have to wonder if it was all smoke and mirrors. Nine of Cleveland’s ten wins were against teams with losing records and let’s not forget that the Browns were just 19-45 the prior four years. This year we’ll be asking several to this point “one-season wonders” to duplicate their work while no longer under the radar and facing one of the leagues toughest schedules.
Derek Anderson (57%, 3787, 29/19) wasn’t even a starter before taking over in the second game and going on to the Pro Bowl. It remains to be seen if Jamal Lewis (298-1304) can withstand back-to-back 300 carry seasons. Braylon Edwards (80, 1289, 16) and Kellen Winslow (82, 1106, 5) have both been dinged in preseason, fragile in their brief careers, and often fail to make easy catches.
The defense was awful last year, awful in the preseason, and will be awful this yea r as the Browns will be forced to win shootout after shootout. Big Shaun Rodgers was brought in from Detroit at nose tackle and will help stop the run. The secondary is a sieve that can’t cover anybody. Tear gas is the only thing that will keep opposing offenses out of the Cleveland end zone.
The schedule is brutal. Last year the Brownies were 7-1 at home. This year they entertain their division foes plus Dallas, Giants, Houston, and the Colts. A mediocre road team at their best, Cleveland will take suitcase to Washington, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Buffalo, and Philadelphia. The schedule maker didn’t do the AFC North any favors matching them up with the NFC East and AFC South. Fortunately for the Browns, the Steelers are in the same boat.
Sure the Browns have a good offense and will get their points. The defense will give up a ton. Nine wins was not guaranteed even with Anderson, Lewis, Edwards, and Winslow 100% healthy. IMO, this one is a no brainer – take the under eight wins.
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