The Browns have yet to win a game this online NFL betting season, which isn’t surprising in any way, shape or form. But what is surprising is how competitive Cleveland has been in those losses. Usually, the Browns are on the losing end of a blowout but in both contests this season, the Browns put themselves in opportunities to win. They didn’t come out on top, but the fact that Cleveland is making these opportunities for themselves reflects that the franchise is finally moving on from one of the darkest chapters in its history.
This Sunday, the Browns will get another opportunity to pick up a win against an opponent that they actually match up well against: the Indianapolis Colts. Both teams are 0-2 but this weekend somebody’s 0 has got to go. Who do football betting sportsbooks think will come out on top?
Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts – Sunday, September 24th
When: 1:00 pm ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: CBS
Stream: CBS Sports, NFL Game Pass
Online NFL Betting Odds:
Cleveland Browns -1 ½ (-110) 40 (-110)
Indianapolis Colts +1 ½ (-110) 40 (-110)
Our unofficial depth chart heading into Week 3.#CLEvsIND pic.twitter.com/CDklLeysqP
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 19, 2017
Cleveland Browns
As aforementioned, the Browns are 0-2 this season which ties them for last in the AFC North alongside the Cincinnati Bengals. In their 2017 debut, the Browns faced their divisional rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and suffered a close 21-18 loss. But the fact that Cleveland was within 3-points of tying with a team as talented as Pittsburgh shows that this team can compete with the best of them. After all, the Steelers are last year’s AFC runner-ups.
If there’s any doubt that the scales are beginning to shift for Cleveland, one needs to just check the above listed odds. Players who bet on NFL games can clearly see that the online NFL betting odds are pegging the Browns as the favorites. Even though that doesn’t guarantee that Cleveland will win this Sunday, it does convey the fact that it’s not idiotic to belief that the Browns are better than the Colts.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are 0-2 as well after suffering a 46-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 and then falling 16-13 to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Indianapolis was far from being considered a favorite in the AFC South, but it is still surprising to see them struggle so profoundly this season.
The biggest challenge currently facing the Colts is the play at the quarterback position. Andrew Luck had to undergo shoulder surgery in the offseason and it’s still unclear when he will come back. Indianapolis has already ruled Luck out for this weekend’s contest versus the Browns. In his place will start Jacoby Brissett, a second-year player who played for the Patriots last season.
Brissett hasn’t exactly stunned us this season. Through 2 starts, Brissett has posted 1 interception, 0 touchdowns, 267 yards and a 65.3 passer rating. The Browns don’t have the best secondary, they currently rank 19th against the pass, but they still should have enough manpower to bully the young quarterback this weekend.
