The 2019 NFL season is off and running, and we're here with a betting preview for Monday night's game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
Mike Clay, Joe Fortenbaugh and Dour Kezirian combine to offer their best bets.
Note: Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. Odds as of Sunday.
Cleveland Browns (-6.5, 45) at New York Jets
Clay: If there were any concerns about Odell Beckham Jr.'s role in Cleveland, they were put to bed in Week 1. The ex-Giant played every snap and was targeted 12 times (32 percent share). He didn't find the end zone, but that hasn't been an issue throughout his career. Beckham has scored 46 touchdowns in 60 career games, registering at least 11 end zone targets in all four career seasons in which he played at least 12 games. He also has a good matchup against a Jets defense that surrendered the most targets and receptions to opposing wide receivers last season, allowed 19 touchdowns to wideouts (ninth most) and 30 end zone targets (sixth).
Yes, that was last season, but the cornerback room is arguably worse with Morris Claiborne and Buster Skrine out and Darryl Roberts and Brian Poole in. That was on display in Week 1, when John Brown torched them for a 7-123-1 line.
Pick: OBJ to score a TD (+115)
Kezirian: I expect the Browns to dominate a hobbled Jets team. In addition to missing Sam Darnold, New York will likely be without other key players like C.J. Mosley and Quinnen Williams. Baker Mayfield looked horrible against a stout Titans squad but should have his way against a thin Jets secondary. As long as they avoid the issues that led to 18 penalties, the Browns get the convincing win.
Pick: Browns PK in a two-team, six-point teaser with Chiefs -1
Fortenbaugh: The Browns haven't been a road favorite of 5 or more points since 1995, when Bill Belichick was the head coach. With that in mind, how confident are you in a Freddie Kitchens-led Cleveland squad that just surrendered 43 points at home to Marcus Mariota and the Titans?
To me, what's most alarming about what happened to the Browns in Week 1 was the lack of discipline the franchise displayed from start to finish, concluding a staggering 18 penalties for 182 yards, not to mention three turnovers and five sacks surrendered. Those kinds of issues don't rectify themselves overnight, which makes laying 6.5 points on the road on Monday Night Football all the more troublesome.
Pick: Jets +6.5