Are the Cleveland Browns Ready for NFL ATS Turnaround?

Every season, an NFL team comes from nowhere to produce excellent against the spread betting results. This season, the team that has the biggest chance of becoming an NFL handicapper against the spread darling are the Cleveland Browns. Check out what the Browns did against the spread last season before we discuss why they’ll be a great team to back ATS this season.

Is Cleveland Finally Ready for NFL Betting Turnaround?

The Office (2018) pic.twitter.com/1BCB97Lkuj

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 19, 2018

The Browns didn’t win a single game last season. How did the Browns do against the spread? Not much better. Although they were dogs in every matchup last season except for Week 3 where they were a 1-point favorite over Indianapolis, the Browns managed to go 4 and 12 against the spread. This season? The Browns could be anywhere from a 9 and 7 against the spread team to an 11 and 5 against the spread team.

Skill Position Improvement

To cover spreads in the NFL, you must score points. Cleveland ranked 32 out of 32 teams in points scored per game last season. The Browns averaged 14.6 points per. In 8 games last season, Cleveland scored 14 points or less. They scored 20 points or less in 10 games last season. Heck, they scored 10 points or less in 7 games last season. What do you expect when your quarterbacks are an immature rookie in DeShone Kizer and a second-year pro in Kevin Hogan? This season, Cleveland’s starting quarterback is the often electrifying Tyrod Taylor. Buffalo’s former starter has all the skills to be a Russell Wilson clone. He had no shot to show his best stuff in Buffalo. In Cleveland, he’s got two exceptional wide receivers to throw the football to in Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon. If Gordon sticks to his current life plan, he and Landry could become one of the more dynamic wide receiver duos in the NFL. The WR position is so deep that Corey Coleman is the WR3. Taylor gets to play in front of a deep RB corps as well. Right now, Carlos Hyde is listed as third on the depth chart. Rookie Nick Chubb is listed as Cleveland’s RB1 while Duke Johnson Jr. is the RB2. Don’t be surprised if Cleveland’s rushing attack resembles the New Orleans Saints’ rushing attack from a year ago. Cleveland has a chance to average 20 to 24 points per game this season. That should make them an ATS star.

Softness in the AFC North Division…

There’s major softness in the AFC North Division. The Cincinnati Bengals are a throwaway team. Forget about the Bengals trying to win football games this season. Both QB Andy Dalton and coach Marvin Lewis appear headed for the exits. Cincy had a horrible offense and terrible defense in 2017. Baltimore should be much improved. But, as long as their QB is Joe Flacco, they’ll have difficulty winning the division. Flacco could be on his way out because the Ravens drafted Louisville Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Flacco will start this season, though. What’s up with Pittsburgh? Changing offensive coordinators might bite the Steelers. Even if Pitts scores plenty of points, the defense has yet to come together. Cleveland should at least go 4 and 4 straight up in their 8 division games. That means, 4 wins against the spread, because…

…The Browns Could Again be Dogs in Every Game

A quick look at the schedule implies that the Cleveland Browns are dogs and 1 to 3 favorites in a couple of matchups this season. They might be favored over the Jets in Week 3. They might be favored over Cincinnati in Week 16. Before their bye week, with the exception of the Jets, Cleveland should be under bet while their opponents:  Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Oakland, Baltimore, L.A. Chargers, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and Atlanta will be over bet. That means the Browns will offer value against the spread in every game before their bye save for possibly Week 3 versus the New York Jets. Don’t sleep on the Cleveland Browns against the spread this season. Because of their improvement at the skill positions, softness in the AFC North Division, and the fact they’ll offer value as an under played dog, the Cleveland Browns could be an ATS darling in 2018.