Commanders vs. Browns Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 1 Odds, Prediction
None of Cleveland’s starters played in last week’s Hall of Fame game against the Jets, but its expected Deshaun Watson and most of the Browns starters will at least play a drive this weekend. Washington’s yet to announce their plan with their own starters, but new starting quarterback Sam Howell is expected to play.
Cleveland’s coming off a disappointing 2022 campaign in which they finished 7-10 and last in the AFC North. Watson began last season with an 11-game suspension, and for that reason alone the Browns’ hopes are much higher heading into this year. Washington got to .500 last season at 8-8-1 but still ended up last place in a competitive NFC East.
Kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium gets started at 7:30 p.m. EDT with the Browns a 1.5-point favourite on home field and the total at 38.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Pre-Season Week 1 Betting Odds
Taking advantage of the Commanders’ top-10 defence and bottom-10 offence was a winning formula when it came to taking Washington’s Unders last season. Washington was tied for the fewest games gone Over last season (five) as they trotted out three different starting pivots and averaged fewer than 19 points per game last year.
Cleveland has enjoyed playing the NFC East as of late, taking 10 of their last 11 meetings with the division. The Browns are 4-1 ATS in their last five at home but only went 4-4 outright at home last year.
Washington Commanders
Head coach Ron Rivera has put his eggs in 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell’s basket. Although last season’s Carson Wentz experiment failed at quarterback, the decision to name the inexperienced fifth-round pick the starter is rightfully being questioned by many.
What does have Washington excited about their future, beside owner Dan Synder’s departure, is the addition of offensive coordinator Bieniemy. The new play-caller spent his last five seasons as Kansas City’s OC, winning two Super Bowls with Patrick Mahomes as his pivot.
Bieniemy isn’t the only Chief coming over as offensive tackle Andrew Wylie signed free via free agency. Howell and Bieniemy also have a solid cast of weapons, as youngsters Brian Robinson Jr. and Jahan Dotson look to take another step at running back and receiver respectively. Terry McLaurin is also back for his fifth year with the team after posting a career high 1,191 receiving yards in 2022.
Cleveland Browns
All eyes are on quarterback Deshaun Watson to be the $230-million-dollar man the Browns paid him to be. Watson had just 183 passing yards per game and seven touchdowns in six starts last season, games Cleveland went 3-3 in. With stars Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper at running back and receiver, the addition of receiver Elijah Moore, and one of the league’s top offensive lines anything less than a top-10 offence this season should be viewed as a disappointment.
Cleveland still made defence their off-season priority though, adding defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and safeties Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod in free agency. Cleveland also acquired pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith in a trade with Minnesota, joining All-Pro Myles Garrett up front.
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