Thousands betting on Cleveland Browns to win Super Bowl LI
By John Buhler
So apparently thousands of people have placed bets on the Cleveland Browns to win Super Bowl LI at 175 to 1 odds at MGM sports books in Las Vegas?
According to ESPN staff writer David Purdum, “Nearly 1,000 have bet on the Cleveland Browns to win the Super Bowl this offseason at MGM sports books in Las Vegas.” Purdum points out that Cleveland’s odds to win Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston are at 175:1.
Now that Cleveland has lifted its 52-year professional championship curse thanks to the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, maybe it’s finally safe to go all-in on the Browns? The Cleveland Indians are a good team, the Cavaliers are excellent, so how horrible can the Browns be?
The Browns could be either the worst team in football to maybe even winning as many as seven games this season. Their offense should be better with Robert Griffin, III as the starting quarterback. His backup Josh McCown is probably the best No. 2 quarterback in the game today.
Griffin will likely run an Air Raid similar to what he did in college at Baylor this fall. Browns head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton actually want to coach him, unlike the two staffs he played for in Washington.
There is too much optimism in Cleveland sports in September 2016 and it’s crazy. When people talk about taking the Browns to the Super Bowl, it’s rarely about football. Just ask Zombieland’s Columbus and Tallahassee.
Could Cleveland make it to Super Bowl LI? No, but the Browns offense may not be what sinks Cleveland’s playoff hopes this year. It’s more than likely going to come from a young roster, a weak defense, and playing in the same AFC North as the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers: two certain AFC Playoff teams.
Next: 2016 NFL season: Epic season preview
Sure, bet on the Browns to win Super Bowl LI, but don’t make it your life savings. This team could be better, but not anywhere good enough to play in January, let alone February.