A poor coaching hire, an offensive mess, rinse, and repeat. The Cleveland Browns, despite owning one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, sputtered their way to a 6-10 finish and yet another head coaching search. Newly-acquired superstar Odell Beckham Jr. and Baker Mayfield couldn’t get on the same page and the Browns, once again, re-wrote the formula on how not to rebuild. A bright spot from their disastrous 2019 was the emergence of star running back Nick Chubb.
The Browns loaded up on talent in free agency and, for the third time in three years, are back on track to compete in the AFC. Their one-season window to secure the division is likely up, and Cleveland has to compete with a glut of hurdles in the AFC North. Eventual-number one pick Joe Burrow joins the ranks of possibly the best young quarterback group in the NFL; gamebreaker Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s cheat code roster returns almost everyone; and Ben Roethlisberger is back as the reaper of the Browns’ defense.
Can new head coach Kevin Stefanski take such a talented roster and compete for the most difficult division in football? This page will serve as a guide to (ideally) answer that question.
Best Browns betting sites
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 |
Bet on every Browns game at PointsBet Sportsbook
Cleveland Browns futures odds
Super Bowl odds
Cleveland opened as +3300 to win Super Bowl LV and maintained that line post-free agency. That number falls third in the AFC North and behind teams like Minnesota, Dallas, and Buffalo. The Browns rank above Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver, who all sit at +4000. This means the Browns have 33/1 odds to win the Super Bowl, or just under a 3% chance.
A $10 bet on Cleveland would pay out a total of $340– $330 for the win plus the $10 initial bet amount back. A $20 bet would result in a $680 payout ($660 in winnings). To say the Browns are a longshot to win is ample, but could produce some serious winnings.
AFC North odds
The AFC North is one of the most talented divisions in the NFL and should be a wild race to the finish. The Browns sit third in odds to win at +500, behind Pittsburgh (+350) and Baltimore (-200), but ahead of Cincinnati (+2000). In this example, a $10 bet on Cleveland to win the division has a total payout of $60 ($50 in winnings, plus the initial $10 bet). A $20 bet would result in a $120 payout ($100 in winnings).
Browns win total
After a disastrous season in 2019, the Browns have been set at a modest 8 wins implied via DraftKings. To bet either over or under the implied win total would take $110 to win $100 (that $10 is referred to as the “vig” and acts as a payout for the oddsmaker). Most win total odds will have -110 odds, though that can vary depending on the team. Complete odds for Cleveland’s 2020-21 win total look like:
- O 8 wins (-110)
- U 8 wins (-110)
If the Browns finish 9-7 or better, the over would win and a $10 bet would win $9.09, with a total payout of $19.09 (the same applies for if the Browns go 7-9 or worse and the under). If the Browns were to finish exactly 8-8, all bettors would get their initial bet back, referred to as a “push.”
Browns player props
Baker Mayfield finished with 3,827 yards passing in 2019, far below the implied total of 4,300. Going into the 2020-21 season, Mayfield’s over/under passing yard totals fell to a modest 3,875.5 (-110). If Mayfield passes for 3,876 or more yards, the over (-110) would win, and bettors would receive a payout of $19.09 ($9.09 in winnings). If he fails to reach 3,876 yards, bettors who bet the under (-110) would receive the same payout ($19.09, $9.09 in winnings).
Other player props on DraftKings include Odell Beckham Jr.’s receiving yards, set at 1,050.5, and Nick Chubb’s rushing yardage total set at 1350.5. These props currently have -110 odds for both the over and under, resulting in the same payout listed in the above example.
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.
