For the first time in years, things are actually different in Cleveland. The Browns are winning football games on the back of new coach Kevin Stefanski‘s run-first attack. Baker Mayfield isn’t putting up an MVP season, but his leadership is keeping the Browns together. They’ve struggled with injuries to major pieces (namely Nick Chubb and Odell Beckham Jr.) and the top teams in their division (Baltimore, Pittsburgh) have given them fits, but fans can’t help but be satisfied with what they see.
Cleveland wins the games they should, but need to find ways to be competitive with the top teams in the NFL. If the trend continues, the Browns are looking at breaking the NFL’s longest playoff drought (17 seasons).
Below will provide all the necessary information to bet on the Cleveland Browns in 2020, complete with live odds tables and analysis.
Cleveland Browns Week 12 odds
Cleveland will enjoy a road trip down to the warmer weather of Jacksonville after playing in nearly a month’s worth of wet and windy weather. The Browns opened as -6 road favorites against the Jaguars and now sit at .
The Browns will be without a pair of defensive centerpieces: Myles Garrett is slated to miss another week on the COVID-reserve list and Denzel Ward is out a few weeks with an injury. Mike Glennon gets the start at quarterback for Jacksonville, catching the Browns’ shorthanded defense a break. The focus will be on slowing down rookie back James Robinson, who’s third in rushing yards this year.
The Browns will look to establish their dynamic run game early and often. The Jaguars are 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (129.1). A long run from Nick Chubb spared the Browns an abysmal day rushing, as Kareem Hunt was held to negative rushing yards. This should be an excellent get-right opportunity for the duo under favorable conditions. Expect the game plan to rely heavily on getting these two going.
See how the Browns rank in this week’s Power Rankings
Browns futures odds
Browns Super Bowl odds
The Browns have some of the longest odds among teams currently sitting in a playoff spot at +4100. That mark sits below 6-4 teams like Baltimore.
AFC North odds
The Steelers are running away with the division and the Ravens and Browns are being left behind. Their odds to win the AFC North fall to +2200.
Cleveland Browns 2020 schedule and betting odds
| Week | Date (Time) | Time | Opponent | Opening Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, Sep. 13 | 1:00 ET | at Baltimore | Ravens -8 |
| 2 | Thursday, Sep. 17 | 8:20 ET | vs. Cincinnati | Browns -9 |
| 3 | Sunday, Sep. 27 | 1:00 ET | vs. Washington | Browns -9 |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:00 ET | at Dallas | Cowboys -5.5 |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 4:25 ET | vs. Indianapolis | Browns -1 |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 1:00 ET | at Pittsburgh | Steelers -3.5 |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 1:00 ET | at Cincinnati | Browns -4.5 |
| 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 1:00 ET | vs. Las Vegas | Browns -2.5 |
| 9 | BYE | |||
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 1:00 ET | vs. Houston | Browns -2.5 |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 ET | vs. Philadelphia | Eagles -2 |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 1:00 ET | at Jacksonville | Browns -6.5 |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 1:00 ET | at Tennessee | Titans -2 |
| 14 | Monday, Dec. 14 | 8:15 ET | vs. Baltimore | Ravens -6 |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 1:00 ET | at NY Giants | Browns -2.5 |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 27 | TBA | at NY Jets | Browns -1 |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 1:00 ET | vs. Pittsburgh | TBA |
How to bet on the Browns
Futures
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, draft order, and player performance are common futures. For example:
Browns team win totals for 2020-21
- Over 8 (-110)
- Under 8 (-110)
If the Browns win more than 8 games in 2020, the over on team win totals would win with a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in winnings).
Other future bets can include league MVP, first overall draft pics, and division winners.
Moneyline
This is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight up winner and loser of each game. For example, take the following line:
- Patriots -120
- Browns +145
The Patriots sit as favorites, requiring a $120 bet to win $100 (plus the initial $120 bet). The Browns are considered the underdogs, paying out $245 total for a $100 bet ($145 in profit). The Browns could win by one or 21, and the payout is the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how much a team is favored by. Take the following example:
- Browns -3 (-110)
- Bengals +3 (-110)
In this example, Cleveland is favored by three points (indicated by “-3”). In order to win this bet, they would need to win by more than a field goal (four or more points) and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in winnings). However, if Cincinnati loses by two, one, ties, or wins outright, they cover the spread and Bengals +3 would win the bet (cashing out the same as listed before). If the Browns win by exactly three, all bettors would receive their money back, referred to as a “push.”
Total (over/under)
Betting on the total removes winners and losers from the equation and instead focuses on the total amount of points scored by one or both of the teams. Consider the following example:
Texans @ Browns point total
- Over 38.5 (-110)
- Under 38.5 (-110)
If the final score is Cleveland 28, Houston 10, those who bet the under would win. If the final score is Cleveland 28, Houston 13, the over would win. Very rarely are over/under totals whole numbers to avoid pushes.
Betting on totals can come in the form of individual team totals, as well. For example:
Browns point total (@ New York Jets)
- Over 22.5 (-110)
- Under 22.5 (-110)
If the Browns score 23 or more points against the Jets in this example, the over would cash out. If they score less than 23, the under would win. In betting totals, the point spread and winner doesn’t matter, with potentials for single teams covering the total points spread (example: If the Browns win 39-0 in the previous example, the over covers the same as if the Texans won 39-0).
Prop bets
Prop bets vary widely, but are commonly based on individual player or team performance. For example, consider the following prop:
Nick Chubb rush yards vs Pittsburgh
- O 95.5 (-110)
- U 95.5 (-110)
If Chubb is able to rush for 96 or more yards, the over would win; if he is unable to reach 96 yards, the under would win.
Other prop bets can include: Team timeouts spent in 1st half (over/under), will a certain team score on defense (yes/no), and the color of Gatorade used by the Super Bowl winning team (array of options). Prop betting can take the stress out of winners, losers, and touchdowns scored and instead allow bettors to get excited for performances.
In-play betting
Many platforms allow live betting during games. A common usage of in-play betting can be to pivot off earlier bets or just a quick-reaction cash out for those looking for a thrill. For example, if a bettor took Las Vegas (+200) to beat the Browns, but Cleveland leads 35-0 at the half, a bettor could recover some of the lost money by accepting the Browns at -635 odds at half.
Another usage of live betting that can be beneficial is longshot comebacks. On the flip side, if Cleveland is down 35-0 at the half, but a bettor sees opportunity for a comeback, putting $10 on Cleveland at +1200 odds would result in a $130 total payout on $10 ($120 in winnings) as opposed to a $19.09 payout pregame (assuming Browns are -110).
Browns 2019 recap
Record: 6-10
ATS: 5-10-1
The Browns were crowned Super Bowl Champions by overzealous media outlets and some eager fans in June. With weapons added like Odell Beckham Jr., Kareem Hunt, Sheldon Richardson, and Olivier Vernon, Cleveland was prime to capitalize on a weaker AFC North. Come week 1, the Browns were run out of their own stadium by eventual AFC runners-up Tennessee– a game that would leave a lasting impact on the players and fans alike. The offense managed just 13 behind three interceptions from Baker Mayfield and the Titans hung 43 on what was supposed to be the Browns’ stout defense.
First-time head coach Freddie Kitchens was outclassed week after week until he was eventually canned at the end of the season. The biggest disappointment of the season was a sophomore Mayfield, who finished with just over 3,800 yards (well under his prop of 4,300) and 21 interceptions (2nd to only Jameis Winston). Cleveland was at the center of criticism after that incident on Thursday Night Football which was an embarrassment for the organization and players. Demeanors changed, as the Browns finished the season 2-4, including a loss to Cincinnati in Week 17 when the players had visibly quit.
Flashes of what could have been were seen in Week 4 when Cleveland hung 40 on the 14-2 Ravens behind 165 yards and three touchdowns from Nick Chubb. More often than not, the Browns continued to do what they have done since 1999 — painfully disappoint.
Browns 2020 offseason moves
Key re-signing: WR Rashard Higgins (one year, $910,000)
Key free agent losses: S Eric Murray (to HOU); LB Christian Kirksey (to GB); CB Juston Burris (to CAR); TE Demetrius Harris (to CHI); LB Joe Schobert (to JAC); OG Eric Kush (to LVR); OG Justin McCray (to ATL); CB Travis Carrie (to IND); CB Damarious Randall (to LVR); TE Ricky Seals-Jones (from CLE); S Tashuan Gipson (to CHI); DE Bryan Cox, Jr. (to BUF)
Key free-agent signings: OT Jack Conklin (from TEN); TE Austin Hooper, (from ATL); QB Case Keenum (from WAS); DT Andrew Billings (from CIN); LB B.J. Goodson (from GB); S Karl Joseph (to LV); CB Kevin Johnson (from BUF); S Andrew Sendejo (from MIN); WR Jojo Natson (from LAR); CB Donovan Olumba (from DAL); C Evan Brown (from MIA)
Key draft picks: OT Jedrick Willis, Jr. (1st round); S Grant Delpit (2nd round)
The Browns unloaded a couple of potentially heavy contracts in Shoebert and Kirksey and strengthened their offensive line. Hunt’s tender gives him a prove-it year for coaches to evaluate if he’s worth keeping around beyond 2020 and the roster overall improved without breaking the budget. Linebacker was the only spot left vacant from departures, which they have sophomore Mack Wilson to fill in for. It was a solid offseason for GM Andrew Berry, who opted to go with strong interior players over the flashy acquisitions of 2019.