Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will reportedly be suspended the first 11 games of the 2022 NFL season, plus a $5 million fine, according to ProFootballTalk.
Watson was originally tabbed with a six-game suspension by an independent arbiter, after two dozen women filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct against the 26-year-old quarterback.
Watson took his first snaps in more than a year and half in Cleveland's preseason opener on Aug. 13. He completed one of his five attempts for seven yards in the Browns' 24-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His last regular-season tilt was Jan. 2021 against the TennesseeTitans, when he was still with the Texans. He threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
Sean Koerner, Action Network's Director of Predictive Analytics, tabs Watson as the eighth-most valuable quarterback to the betting spread — the five-point value rating is tied with reigning Super Bowl champion, Matthew Stafford.
Browns Win Total
At BetRivers, the Browns' win total is 8.5, with the over/under set at +123/-150. The number is still 9 at WynnBet, with the over/under at +150/-175.
When the suspension was just six games, Koerner had the Browns at a 44% chance of going over their then-number of 9.5.
Now that the suspension has been increased to 11 games, here's how Koerner projects the Browns' win total at 8.5:
Over 8.5: 49%
Under 8.5: 51%
Browns Futures Odds
The Browns begin the 2022 regular season on the road against the Panthers.
Cleveland originally opened a 4.5-point favorite for Week 1, but cratered following the Watson suspension. The Browns then crossed the key number of 3, dropping as low as -1.
Cleveland's consensus Super Bowl price is +3000.
The club plays its next preseason game this Sunday at home against the Eagles. The Browns are 2.5-point underdogs, while the total of 36.5 marks the lowest on the entire Week 2 slate (you can check all preseason odds here).
Browns First 11 Games
- @ Panthers
- vs. Jets
- vs. Steelers
- @ Falcons
- vs. Chargers
- vs. Patriots
- @ Ravens
- vs. Bengals
- @ Dolphins
- @ Bills
- vs. Buccaneers
