Browns' Super Bowl betting odds worsen despite win over Panthers

Browns backup Jacoby Brissett is starting as Watson serves his 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, and Brissett completed 18-of-34 pass attempts for 147 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Meanwhile, ESPN stats note that the Browns gained 217 yards on the ground and that All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett recorded two sacks. 

Nevertheless, Action Network's C. Jackson Cowart (h/t New York Post) pointed out on Tuesday that the BetMGM sportsbook dropped Cleveland's odds to win Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 from 30/1 to 40/1 coming off Sunday's result. 

"Brissett and Co. can clearly weather the storm, and outgaining the Panthers by nearly 100 yards with zero turnovers constitutes an impressive road win in its own right," Cowart said of a Browns offense that won't have Watson under center until the Week 13 game at the Texans on Dec. 4. 

"When Watson comes back in Week 13, this team will be scary — particularly if Nick Chubb (141 yards) and Myles Garrett (two sacks) keep playing like they did on Sunday. I’d be buying the dip on the Browns, which could easily find itself back at 20/1 in a couple of months."

Perhaps the updated odds have something to do with the fact that the Browns may have gotten lucky that Brissett wasn't penalized for intentional grounding after he violated an NFL rule regarding spiking the football with 13 seconds remaining in Sunday's contest. No foul was enforced, and Browns rookie placekicker Cade York made a game-winning 58-yard field goal to get his employer to 1-0 ahead of its home opener against the 0-1 New York Jets this coming Sunday.