The Cleveland Browns entered the season with high expectations, and bettors were hoping it was finally time to back the Brown to win the Big Game.
They signed their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson to a five-year $230 million fully guaranteed contract and made noticeable moves to the defensive side of the ball, adding pass rushers like Za’Darius Smith.
The Browns had a phenomenal Week 1 showing, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 24-3. That big win helped shorten their Super Bowl futures from +4000 to +1800 at BetMGM.
Cleveland’s odds to win its division and the AFC Championship also shortened heading into Week 2. The team’s odds to win the conference moved from +1800 to +1000; to win the division shortened from +375 to +220.
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But in Week 2, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb exited the game with a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They lost the game, they lost Chubb and their odds lengthened again.
Now the Browns’ Super Bowl futures are a long +3000.
FOX Sports Insider David Helman commented on the Chubb injury.
“He’s second in the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns since the Browns drafted him in 2018. It can’t help but bring to mind the conversation from the summer about the value of the running backs, how much it’s worth to pay them, why teams are reluctant to pay them and why it’s all the more important that they get paid anyway.”
Dave Helman reacts to Nick Chubb’s crushing injury in Browns’ loss against the Steelers
Helman discusses Nick Chubb’s injury.
With Nick Chubb out for the season, all eyes will be on QB Deshaun Watson to lead the team. It’s worth noting that veteran Kareem Hunt is returning to the squad to beef up the backfield with Chubb sidelined. Their first test will come this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, a game in which the Browns are 3-point favorites after originally being favored by 4.5.
Can the Browns keep their season alive despite losing Chubb, and could a Super Bowl run still be in Cleveland’s immediate future?
Stay tuned to FOX Sports as the season unfolds.
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