Sportsbooks Shift Browns’ Odds Ahead of Watson’s Likely Suspension – Gaming Today

Deshaun Watson could be suspended for the upcoming NFL season. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Betting odds on the Cleveland Browns are being adjusted as the NFL is believed to be on the verge of issuing a significant suspension for quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson, who faces 24 civil lawsuits stemming from alleged sexual misconduct, could reportedly be suspended for the entire 2022-23 NFL season for violating the leagues personal conduct policy.

When Watsons trade from Houston to Cleveland was announced in March, Super Bowl futures odds on the Browns shortened from +5000 to +1400 at the Westgate SuperBook. DraftKings moved the Browns from +2500 to +1500 upon news of the trade.FanDuel and BetMGM both offered Cleveland at +1600 after the addition of Watson. Heres a look at current futures odds on the Browns at sportsbooks across the industry:

Caesars Sportsbook opened with a total of 9.5 wins for Cleveland in late March after Watson was acquired by the Browns. PointsBet was among the first books to take Cleveland off the board for season win totals in April when Watsons status became unclear again. The Browns season win total was not available at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, or Caesars as of this Monday publication.

Circa Sports had the Browns win total set at 8.5 as of Monday. Cleveland finished 8-9 in the regular season last year. There are alternate betting markets available at Circa as well.

O 9.5 +185

U 9.5 -215

O 7.5 -215

U 7.5 +185

At the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, the Browns are listed as 3-point road favorites against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, an adjustment from an opening number of -4.5. FanDuel is dealing Cleveland -3 (-104) over Carolina.

In mid-May after the NFLs 2022-23 season schedule was announced, DraftKings installed the Browns as a -3.5 point road favorite at Carolina. The game was off the board at DraftKings as of Monday afternoon.

That otherwise vanilla NFL matchup could have some added juice given Carolina and Cleveland have been working on a potential trade involving QB Baker Mayfield. Nothing has materialized yet, but its not out of the realm of possibility that Mayfield could be the starting QB for either team in Week 1. Not many NFL observers expect Mayfield to be on the Browns at the start of the season, however.

Still, Watson is listed as the starter on the teams depth chart with Mayfield slotted as the backup. Jacoby Brissett, who appeared in five games for Miami last season, and Joshua Dobbs are third and fourth, respectively.

With the uncertainty surrounding Watson and Mayfield, Brissett has proven to be a serviceable QB in spot duty in the past. But hes a far cry from the generational talent that Watson would bring to the starting lineup.

Also read: Browns Shoot Up Super Bowl Oddsboards Upon Deshaun Watson Trade

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Sportsbooks Shift Browns' Odds Ahead of Watson's Likely Suspension - Gaming Today