3 Top Bets For Browns vs. Cardinals
In this story:
After news that QB Deshaun Watson will start Sunday for the Cleveland Browns and rookie QB Clayton Tune will start for the Cardinals, the spread has continued to overwhelmingly shift in the Browns’ favor.
The Browns opened the week as 6.5-point favorites against the Cardinals. Nearly 24 hours from kickoff, the line has now moved to 11.5 points in Cleveland’s favor.
We’re not including the spread in our Week 9 edition of Top Bets, however, because there’s still so much uncertainty that looms over Watson, who once again needs to shake off rust after playing just 12 snaps in the last four games.
We’re keeping the focus on other players instead — and once again tabbing the under to hit this week, even though the over has been hit in the Browns’ last three games. With so much unknown about how either of the quarterbacks will play, it just feels right.
After going 2-1 last week, we’re looking to improve on the 4-5 record we’ve built over the last three weeks. All lines below are coming from SI Sportsbook.
Under 38.5 (-118)
The under always feels like a strong play when a fifth-round rookie is going up against the top defense in the league. Yes, the Browns defense has shown some weak spots — particularly against the run — in their last two games, but it’s still the top defense in football. Cleveland owns a league-best average of 260 yards allowed per game.
They should have no problem slowing down Tune in his first career start. Add in the unknowns about how Watson will play in his first game back from injury, and it feels safe to assume this will be a low-scoring game.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (39) moves in as Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) goes up to make a catch Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
© Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Amari Cooper Over 56.5 Receiving Yards (-120)
Cooper totaled 89 yards last week when P.J. Walker was making his second start with the Browns. He’s been a safe bet to hit his receiving yards over line each week — he’s topped over 80 yards in four of seven games so far — and will almost certainly be relied on heavily to help Watson settle into things.
David Njoku Over 3.5 Receptions (-133)
Njoku will be heavily relied on to help Watson, too, and his line here feels even more safe to bet on considering he’s caught four or more passes in five games this season.
