2011 NFL Team Preview
Cleveland Browns

2010 Record: 5-11
2010 Record ATS (Against the Spread): 5-11

Outlook:

Strengths: The Browns defense was a nice surprise last year as the they finished with the 13th best scoring defense in the league.  The two most impressive of these efforts is when they took on hi-flying New Orleans and powerful New England in back to back weeks and held them to a combined 31 points and won the games in the process.  Rookie Colt McCoy showed that he has the raw talent and that with some development could probably become a productive NFL quarterback. RB Peyton Hillis surprised the nation with a 1,654 yards from scrimmage campaign in 2010.


Weaknesses:
The Browns are inconsistent.  They have gone through coaching changes like never before in their history (six since 1999).  Their offense overall is very weak. Last year they finished just 31st in points scored.

Betting Prognosis:  The Browns were just 5-11 against the spread last season. And this is with the fact that they were only favored twice the entire season!  This is a team with scattered talent and when they are all on the same page can cover football games and perhaps even win some.  This year you can expect their overall record to improve and their betting possibilities to improve as well. We look for them to crawl their way back to respectability and a closer to a .500 record. Because this is better than many of the expert predict, we say that they will be a good bet in 2011. Look for them to be the underdog a great deal and win some of those games out right.

When to Bet this Team:
When they are playing teams of equal or slightly better record/talent level and are underdogs.  Bet them also when they are underdogs at home in Cleveland.  Bet against them on the road against good teams when the spread is 7 or less.  They won't be good enough to pull off wins like that.

Key Matchups:
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati
Week 3 vs. Miami

If they can beat AFC foes at home early in the season, this will be key for their confidence.  Then you may see a team you can bet on the rest of the season.