The New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns open the 2023 NFL preseason schedule in the Hall of Fame Game Thursday night. Kickoff from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio is scheduled for 8 p.m. (NBC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Jets vs. Browns odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
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The Jets made plenty of headlines in the offseason, and the biggest story was landing future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers in a trade from the Green Bay Packers. He has quickly become the face of the franchise, and he has worked to change the culture surrounding the perennial losing club.
Unfortunately for fans of Gang Green, Rodgers will not play in the team’s preseason opener. He hasn’t played a preseason snap since the 2018 season with the Packers. Previous starting QB Zach Wilson will make the start.
The Cleveland Browns plan to sit QB Deshaun Watson for the HOF game, too. Head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to get a good, long look at both QBs Kellen Mond and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, as the 2 signal callers are battling for a roster spot. Mond is set to start, with DTR expected to get an extended look.
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Jets vs. Browns odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. ET
- Moneyline (ML): Jets -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Browns +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Jets -1.5 (-115) | Browns +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 33.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Jets vs. Browns picks and predictions
Prediction
Browns 16, Jets 13
Moneyline
The BROWNS (+105) are worth a look as short Dawgs, err, ‘dogs, in this HOF game. It’s just a short jaunt down Interstate 77 from the Dawg Pound, and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium should have a very enthusiastic home feel for Cleveland.
The crowd factor isn’t the only reason to back Cleveland, however. Mond and DTR are battling for a roster spot, and we should see solid quarterback play from both of the former collegiate standouts. For New York, former starter Wilson gets the nod, but it remains to be seen how excited he’ll be, knowing his fate is already sealed as a backup with Rodgers now running the show.
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Against the spread
Browns +1.5 (-105) doesn’t make a lot of sense to play, unless you’re totally convinced the Jets -1.5 (-115) are going to win, but only by a single point. If you like Cleveland, bet it straight up for the much better value.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 33.5 (-110) is the play, as we usually get a lot of sloppy football in the Hall of Fame Game. Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders bested the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-11, and that was an anomaly, as the 38 combined points were tied for the 2nd-most points since 2008.
Since 2010, in 10 Hall of Fame Games, we have had an average of 29.4 combined points per game. We have had 33 or fewer points in 3 of the past 4 HOF battles, and 5 of the past 7 installments. Go low, and feel confident in doing so.
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