Cleveland Browns Over/Under Wins Odds 2021: 11-6 is on the cards
Making the playoffs last season was a big step forward and following that up with another strong campaign will be tough but they can do it writer Zach Rainey...
The Cleveland Brown were one of the most interesting and entertaining story lines in the NFL last season. With Kevin Stefanski at the helm, he helped the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs after an 18-year drought, and their first playoff win wince 1994.
The Brown seven came close to capitalizing on Patrick Mahomes’ injury and almost left Arrowhead Stadium with a win.
But the hardest part for Stefanski this season will be following that up.
I liked Rashard Higgins last year after Odell Beckham Jr. was sidelined with injury. Jarvis Landry remains one of the most quiet producers in the NFL.
Their offensive line remains the driving force on that offense however with the two-headed monster that is Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Jack Conklin was a First-Team All-Pro last season for the first time since his rookie year on the right side of the line. Left guard Joel Bitonio was chosen to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl last season as well. 2020 10th overall pick Jedrick Wills Jr. will surely be in line for more starts after starting 15 of the 15 he played in/
And what did they have to show for it? Chubb rushed for 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games. Hunt picked up the slack to the tune of 841 yards and six touchdowns.
But the biggest question always comes down to the play of the quarterback. I’m glad Mayfield got a taste of success and how fun winning football can be in Cleveland, but as we’ve seen with him, too much of that stuff can get to his head.
It was also peculiar that Mayfield and the Browns seemed to flow better without Beckham Jr. than with him. The only thing I can think of is that Mayfield, along with offensive coaches, didn’t have to worry about drawing up one out of “x” amount of plays to go toward Odell so he wouldn’t throw a tantrum and show up his team.
On the defensive side, they added Jadeveon Clowney and former first round pick Takkarist McKinley to a defensive like that already has Myles Garrett.
I also thing the Browns stole this draft when they were able to get a guy like Greg Newsome II to plug in and play at corner, as well as Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round, who many, including myself, had as a first-round pick.
I have the Browns falling to the Chiefs in the opener to Kansas City, but rebounding with three consecutive wins over Houston, Chicago and Minnesota to start 3-1.
Following the Minnesota game, they’ll make a trip to the west coast, where I have them falling at the Chargers. That’s one of my biggest toss-ups on this schedule, but gave the edge to the home team.
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of that losing culture crept in and could see them falling to the Arizona Cardinals the next week.
But after that, I have them with five-straight wins over Denver, Pittsburgh, Cincy, New England, and Detroit to make their record 8-3.
They play Baltimore the weeks before and after their bye. I have them falling at Baltimore but rebounding at home with a win, as well as a win the next week for Las Vegas to make them 10-4.
I have them falling to Green Bay in Week 16, as well as at Pittsburgh in Week 17. Depending on what the playoff landscape looks like, they could rest starters against Cincy in Week 18, or could demolish them to prove a point.
My projected total for the Browns is 11-6 and their win projection is currently 10.5 with the over at even odds. I’ll take the over, because I think there’s a chance they win that game against the Chargers as well as complete the sweep of Pittsburgh.
