2024 Cleveland Browns Odds & Preview: Deshaun Watson Needs To Step Up

The Browns made the playoffs last season on the back of resurgent quarterback from a veteran, but now it's back to Deshaun Watson. Cleveland enters its third season with Watson, who's yet to figure things out there.

Here's everything you need to know about the Browns this season.

2024 Browns Odds

Odds via FanDuel and as of Aug. 2.

2023 Browns Betting Records

• 11-7 against the spread (+16.6% ROI)
• 11-6-1 to the over (+22.5% ROI)

Past Browns Win Totals

Important Browns Betting Stats

Watson has a 33-33-2 career mark against the spread, while backup Jameis Winston is 34-42-4. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was 1-2 in his rookie season, while Tyler Huntley is 6-4.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski is 33-35-1 against the spread, which isn’t too bad considering he’s never truly had a quarterback play at a high level during his time in Cleveland.

Browns Need Answer at Quarterback

There are two teams in the AFC North that have similar outlooks for 2024: The defenses are elite, but how far can the quarterback take this team?

The Steelers are searching for an answer under center. The Browns, meanwhile, have to figure out how their answer can solve the question.

The Browns are two seasons into a guaranteed five-year contract that they gave to Watson. The three-time Pro Bowler has started six games in each of those, the first year because of an 11-game suspension and last year because of a shoulder injury.

In addition to his lack of availability, Watson’s numbers have plummeted. His interception rates are higher than his last season in Houston, his Success Rates and yards-per-attempt averages have been the two lowest of his career.

The Browns had an identity of a run-first team with a strong defense, and they looked like they were a quarterback away. Watson, so far, hasn’t looked like the answer.

The Browns have other concerns to address, specifically on offense.

Amari Cooper is entering his age-30 season, while Jerry Jeudy was acquired but has never lived up to his full potential in the NFL. Is Cleveland the place he’ll do that?

On the ground, the Browns have run their offense through the running game. Nick Chubb tore his ACL last season and may not be able to carry the same workload he has in the past. Also, former offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has moved on and is in New England.

Another reason to be pessimistic is the division that the Browns play in. Pittsburgh won 10 games and made the playoffs last season; Cincinnati has Joe Burrow healthy again; while Baltimore won 13 games and was the class of the AFC until running into the Chiefs in the playoffs.

How To Back the Browns This Season

While the betting market is down on the Browns entering this season, as you can see from the futures odds at the top of this page, the defense means they will be a tough out for any team.

The Browns won’t be winning the Super Bowl if Watson doesn’t miraculously retain his 2021 form, but they could be a popular underdog pick to keep games close and cover the spread throughout the season if the defense stays healthy.

2024 Browns Schedule Info

According to Action Network’s Sean Koerner, the Browns will face the third-hardest schedule in the NFL this season.

Cleveland will have to face the gauntlet that is the AFC North, as well as the Cowboys, Eagles, Chiefs and Dolphins. The Browns have a combined nine games against playoff teams last season.

Cleveland's Week 1 Odds & Matchup

Cleveland is a Week 1 favorite, laying 1.5 points to the Cowboys at home. The game total is set at 43.5.