When the Cleveland Browns were founded in 1946, they started out as a dominant force in pro football. They won four straight titles in the All-America Football Conference and then won the NFL championship in 1950, their first season in the league. They won conference championships in seven of their first eight seasons in the NFL and then four more times in the 1960s. However, it’s been a long time since they were a regular contender. They won five division titles in the 1980s but have never appeared in a Super Bowl, and they have not won a division crown since 1989. Their fan base had the ignominy of having owner Art Modell take the team to Baltimore, where they would become the Ravens. After three seasons without a team, the Browns franchise was reborn, but since 1999, their record is still just 101-234-1, despite a promising playoff appearance in 2020. The team has the best roster it has had in some time, but it is up to a stout defense, a solid running game and an elite talent at quarterback (Deshaun Watson) to make things work. What will happen in 2023? Here are some thoughts that may influence your NFL betting on the Browns.
NFL Betting News: 2023 Cleveland Browns Betting Analysis
We’ll know a lot about the Browns after just four weeks. Why? Because by the end of Week 4, they will have played each of their AFC North opponents once, including a Monday Night Football showdown in Pittsburgh, and they will also have hosted the Tennessee Titans. They hit their bye early, in Week 5, which will either give them time to regroup after some disappointments or to consolidate momentum from a solid start.
Things get a little easier after the bye. Week 6 brings the San Francisco 49ers to town, no easy opponent, but Cleveland also gets to play the six worst NFL teams from a year ago (Chicago, Houston, Arizona, Indianapolis, Denver and the Rams). Last year, the Browns posted a 3-3 record in the division, and if they can match that this year, they have a definite shot at the postseason.
An interesting feature of the AFC North the past few years has been the Browns’ ability to frustrate the Cincinnati Bengals. This year, they have Jim Schwartz, who put together an outstanding defense in Philadelphia, as coordinator, and his scheme will focus on pressuring Joe Burrow, who has the best O-line in front of him, at least on paper, that he has had since coming to the league. The offense will be tailored to Deshaun Watson, and its run-first approach should be able to chew clock and move the ball. But will it be enough to win?
Against Pittsburgh, defensive lineman Myles Garrett will find a rookie left tackle across from him. Garrett got a pair of sacks in a similar situation against Carolina’s Icky Ekwonu. The Steelers are looking to the future with quarterback Kenny Pickett, and it’s unlikely they will have everything together by Week 2. However, this is the AFC North, and an unsettled Pittsburgh team ended up stopping Cincinnati in Week 1 last year.
What will the Titans bring? They still have Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill, but Henry looked like a shell of his former self last year, and Tannehill still doesn’t have any elite targets running routes down the field. The defense is still solid and will approach the game with elite physicality, but the Browns should be able to lock down the Titans’ running game.
The Ravens also have a new coordinator, as Todd Monken has shown up to run the offense. The Cleveland defense has cornerbacks who can stand up to Baltimore’s receivers. Can the Browns stop the Baltimore running game without having to put nine men in the box? You can ask the same question about the Ravens, though. Looking at these first four games, I see the Browns going into their bye with a 3-1 record (losing to the Ravens but beating the other three teams). That would be a nice way to open 2023 – if they can pull it off.
Bet on the Browns to Win!
2023 Cleveland Browns Regular Season Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| All times ET | |||
| 1 | Sept. 10 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. |
| 2 | Sept. 18 (M) | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 8:15 p.m. |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | vs. Tennessee Titans | 1 p.m. |
| 4 | Oct. 1 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 1 p.m. |
| 5 | BYE WEEK | ||
| 6 | Oct. 15 | vs. San Francisco 49ers | 1 p.m. |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | at Indianapolis Colts | 1 p.m. |
| 8 | Oct. 29 | at Seattle Seahawks | 4:05 p.m. |
| 9 | Nov. 5 | vs. Arizona Cardinals | 1 p.m. |
| 10 | Nov. 12 | at Baltimore Ravens | 1 p.m. |
| 11 | Nov. 19 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 p.m. |
| 12 | Nov. 26 | at Denver Broncos | 4:05 p.m. |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | at Los Angeles Rams | 4:25 p.m. |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 p.m. |
| 15 | Dec. 16 or 17 | vs. Chicago Bears | TBD |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | at Houston Texans | 1 p.m. |
| 17 | Dec. 28 (Th) | vs. New York Jets | 8:15 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 6 or 7 | at Cincinnati Bengals | TBD |
Live NFL Betting Odds For Today
Xbet Betting Lines for the Game
NFL Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines for Regular Season | Take advantage this 2023 NFL Season betting on your favorite Team to Win it All! Check out the NFL analysis of the next Teams: Indianapolis Colts | Cleveland Browns | Cincinnati Bengals | Detroit Lions | Atlanta Falcons | San Francisco 49ers | Washington Commanders | Chicago Bears
