in ,

How Do the Cleveland Browns Solidify Themselves as 2021 Futures Bets?

how-do-the-cleveland-browns-solidify-themselves-as-2021-futures-bets?

The Cleveland Browns went further than they have in 27 seasons after taking it to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. So, if you bet the Browns would eclipse the over/under, bet on them against Kansas City, or even bet that they’d make the playoffs, you did a good job.

The Chiefs knocked them out of the playoffs, but the Browns covered the 10.0 point spread after the 22-17 loss. So, do the Browns repeat the following season or was their success just another abnormality that defined 2020? Technically speaking, this is the 2020 NFL season, even in January 2021.

Today’s post will show you what the Browns must do to keep their winning ways going and make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the late 1980s and eclipse their first division championship since 1989.

Pound the Rock

The Cleveland Browns had one of the finest running games in the NFL in 2020, with Nick Chubb breaking the 1,000-yard barrier after starting only 12 games. Kareem Hunt logged over 800 rushing yards and remained a factor in the passing game.

The Browns also drafted a mauler in Jedrick Wills and plucked tackle Jack Conklin from the Tennessee Titans. Wyatt Teller, originally thought to be the odd man out on the revamped line, became the unit’s unsung hero.

As a result, hardly anyone could stop the Browns, who logged over 300 rushing yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4.

For the Browns to remain a popular bet, they need to keep the run-first mentality going. This is the first time in virtually forever that the Browns have had an offensive identity. So, for the sake of their fans and perhaps your wallet, the Browns must stick to the run to win football games.

Baker the Game Manager

Baker Mayfield is not a great quarterback. He proved it in 2019 when he finished second in the league with 21 interceptions. He lacks the arm strength to be a great quarterback and comes to you in the mold of Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, and Jimmy Garoppolo.

None of the above are great quarterbacks without a solid running game. But they can hurt you when the running game opens things up in the passing lanes. As a result, Mayfield had a stellar bounce back season.

And if you were brave enough to wager him in the player props department, he most likely won you some money. Mayfield surprised all of us. But keep in mind, it came when he took a backseat to offensive centerpiece, Nick Chubb.

It’s also worth noting that he played his best football after Odell Beckham Jr. went down. And if the Browns are a wise bunch, it’s smart to move on from the ailing receiver.

Fix the Defense

Despite their 11-5 and if you count the playoffs, 12-6 record, they are one of the best teams in NFL history to have allowed more points than they scored. They averaged roughly 25.6 points per game, and gave up 26.1 per game.

Just how bad was the defense?

The 2017 Cleveland Browns finished 0-16, and their defense gave up 410 points. The 2020 version finished 11-5 and gave up 419 points. By points against, the 2017 team had a better defense than the 2020 team.

And if the Browns want to get to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 1989 come the 2021-22 NFL playoffs, they must fix this leaky defense. And the Chiefs had no trouble exploiting it in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.

The Browns offense can score at will. But in three of their five losses, the offense stalled and scored 7 points or less, having lost 38-6 to the Baltimore Ravens, 38-7 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and 16-6 to the Las Vegas Raiders.

They need to quit relying on offense. So, if you think the Browns are a good bet as the team to beat in the AFC North and like them for futures bets, monitor their defensive progress. They got one of the best pass rushers in Myles Garrett and one of the best corners in Denzel Ward.

Following Garrett and Ward, they have little to lean on.

Win Divisional Games

Since the creation of the AFC North in 2002, the Browns have never finished better than 3-3 in divisional play. It will take far more to win the AFC North than a 3-3 divisional record.

If the Steelers bring back Ben Roethlisberger and if Lamar Jackson ever figures out his throwing mechanics, the Browns are in trouble. They need to prove they can beat the Ravens, a team who has dominated them since 1999, barring a few exceptions. As for the Steelers, the Browns went 2-1 against a team who has also manhandled them throughout the last two decades in 2020. This was the first time the Browns beat the Steelers twice in a single season in over three decades. 

So, Don’t Forget the Old Rule:

If the Browns pull off the inevitable once, you’ll glance over. If they do this twice, you and plenty of others will take notice.

Right now, they’re in Stage 1, and if you’re betting on them, you’re betting they’ll advance to Stage 2 in 2021. But standing in front of that stage are the two familiar demons, one of whom bears a mascot labeled as the bringer of bad luck. That’d be the Ravens.

The other is a team whose fan base is so rabid that if the safety restrictions end by September 2021, don’t expect the Browns to jump out to a 28-0 lead in Heinz Field for the foreseeable future.

Improve the Passing Game

As noted earlier, Mayfield played his best football when Beckham went out with an injury. As usual, Jarvis Landry was a hot target. But Mayfield became exceptional when he spread the ball around.

Landry finished with 72 receptions. Hooper had 46. Peoples-Jones and Bryant held respectable numbers considering their rookie and late-round draft statuses. And Rashard Higgins had a fantastic bounce back season after landing in the doghouse in 2019 with 37 catches. Kareem Hunt also fared well with 38 receptions.

None of the Browns receivers flashed. But they all contributed after Beckham, the supposed star receiver, went down.

To continue to win in 2021, the Browns must improve the passing game. And the best way to do so is to get rid of Beckham. If the Browns trade away Beckham since it’s clear they don’t need his services, expect the Browns to become a popular futures bet.

Further, if the Browns trade away Beckham and pick up gadget players in his stead, get excited if you bet on the Browns. Chances are, their offense just improved tenfold, regardless of how counterintuitive it sounds.

Take Advantage of the Easier Schedule

Most likely, the NFL will expand to a 17-week regular season. Great, right?

Hopefully, this spells the end of the month-long preseason, but we’ll see what happens. For teams who finished at the bottom half of their division, it means they will face teams who finished in the same spot apart from the two divisions they play in the AFC, NFC, and their own division.

For the Browns, it means they will play three teams who finished in third place in their division—two AFC teams and one NFC team if the 17th game goes into effect. If not, they will still play the AFC teams who also took third.

The Browns are the best third-place finisher in the NFL with an 11-5 record. This will give them an easier schedule to work with, barring a complete turnaround. So, they will play the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.

And they will also face off with either the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, or Arizona Cardinals in the NFC.

If you paid attention to the final records, this gives the Browns a tremendous advantage in 2021. The Texans may be without Deshaun Watson. The Patriots are a year away, and the Chargers defense can’t hold a lead.

The jury is out on Dak Prescott’s return. The Minnesota Vikings defense is in shambles. And the Panthers are at least a year away. The only third-place finisher who stacks up well to the Browns are the Cardinals, a team marred by mismanagement at head coach.

So, if the Browns are on your shortlist, know that they have stellar chances to beat a few teams of lesser talent on their schedule.

Conclusion

The Cleveland Browns shocked the world and did the most 2020 thing ever: They made and advanced to the divisional round in the playoffs for the first time since the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo dominated the video game market.

Now, the Browns have become a popular NFL futures bet in 2021. But they still have a few holes to fix if they hope to solidify their status as one of the NFL’s elite.

What are your thoughts on the Cleveland Browns? Are they a good futures bet for 2021? Or are you still higher on the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens? Let us know in the comments.

Michael Stevens

Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …

View all posts by Michael Stevens

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

super-bowl-55-betting-odds-then-vs-now

Super Bowl 55 Betting Odds Then vs Now

the-best-online-casino-bonuses-in-2021

The Best Online Casino Bonuses in 2021