The Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns will kick off their 2019 scrimmage season with an intriguing matchup featuring two teams that are both looking to improve in 2019 after winning an identical seven games a year ago. Now, with both teams making some significant additions to their respective rosters in the offseason, let’s find out where the best betting value lies in this preseason opener, which gets underway on Thursday.
Redskins vs Browns 2019 NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds, Preview & Prediction
- When: Thursday August 8, 2019, 4:30 PM ET
- Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
- TV: None
- Radio: Washington / Cleveland
- Live Stream: NFL Network
- NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds: Cleveland -1.5 / Total: 35
Weather Forecast
- Scattered Thunderstorms: 26°C/79°F
- Humidity: 68%
- Precipitation: 40%
- Wind: 15 mph W
- Cloud Cover: 45%
- Type of Stadium: Open
Why Bet On Washington at +1.5?
The Redskins are looking to get back in the playoffs after going 7-9 last season and missing out on the postseason in each of the last three seasons. The Redskins started out 6-3 last season, but then they saw their season go down the drain when starting quarterback Alex Smith went down with a season-ending ACL injury. Now, heading into 2019, Washington will have a different look at quarterback with either Colt McCoy or Case Keenum likely starting the season under center with the hope being that gifted rookie first round draft pick Dwayne Haskins will assume the mantle at some point in the season. The Skins finished 2018 ranked a dismal 29th in scoring (17.6 ppg) and a decent 15th in points allowed (22.4 ppg).
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 17.56
- Total Yards: 299.69
- Pass Yards: 188.81
- Rush Yards: 110.88
- Average Score Against: 22.44
- Total Yards: 353.37
- Pass Yards: 237.12
- Rush Yards: 116.25
Why Bet On Cleveland at -1.5?
In Cleveland, things are looking up as quarterback Baker Mayfield heads into his second season at the unquestioned starter after leading Cleveland to a surprising 7-8-1 record last season. The Browns finished last season ranked 20th in scoring (22.4 ppg) and 21st in points allowed (24.5 ppg), although they made some nice additions to their roster, starting with a trade for superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Cleveland will be playing their first full season under head coach Freddie Kitchens after going 2-5-1 under former head coach Hue Jackson and finishing with a solid 5-3 mark under interim head coach Gregg Williams.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 22.44
- Total Yards: 368.75
- Pass Yards: 250.44
- Rush Yards: 118.31
- Average Score Against: 24.50
- Total Yards: 393
- Pass Yards: 257.81
- Rush Yards: 135.19
Redskins vs Browns NFL Preseason Week 1 Betting Trends
- Redskins are 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games
- Redskins are 1-6 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of the Redskins’ last 6 games against an opponent in the AFC conference
- Browns are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 games
- Browns are 5-2 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went UNDER in 15 of the Browns’ last 20 games at home
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Redskins vs Browns
The Redskins are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven Thursday games while Cleveland has gone 6-2 ATS in their last eight Thursday games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall. Still though, I like Washington to get it done on the road for one simple reason. Washington’s backup quarterback situation is a lot better than Cleveland’s. I’m going with Washington’s trio of McCoy, Keenum and Haskins to top the performances of Cleveland backups Drew Stanton and Garrett Gilbert in this Week 1 preseason matchup and you should too!
Pick: Washington 23 Cleveland 20
