Betting on the Browns

I received a comment on my last post, Sitting Seven, from Jim H., who brings up two good points about betting on our beloved Browns.

Jim says:

A non-Browns fan offered the following wager: he wanted 2-1 odds that the Browns would start the regular season 0-2. He'd put up $20, but I'd owe him $40 if that happened. That's not going to happen, is it? Two home games? They've got to win one, right?

I didn't take the bet. I learned long ago not to bet with my heart.

First off, thanks for the comment, Jim. I have to agree that you shouldn't bet with your heart. Betting on the Browns is a hard thing to do. If you bet on them to win, and they lose, it's easy to blame yourself for being over-confident.

Even in the Chris Palmer-era Browns, when it was a given that they'd lose, it was hard to bet against them because it's hard to root for them to lose simply so you can win some money.

But, here's the really intriguing question Jim poses: Will the Browns start the season 0-2? Certainly, opening the season with Dallas and Pittsburgh is going to be tough.

Every indication is that Dallas is the team to beat in the NFC. As for the Steelers, as much as we'd like to think they're on a downward spiral, just like Romeo says, they're the front-runners in the AFC North until we can actually beat them.

These are both home games though. I mean, the Browns were 7-1 at home last year. That has to account for something, right? Well, not necessarily. Consider first that the one loss at home last year was to the Steelers. And, consider that prior to last season, the Browns barely won any games at home.

Taking into account these two factors, you have to wonder if the Browns are at a point yet where winning at home is a given.

As much as I'd like to think so, I don't think they are. The Browns had a good season last year, I'm not denying that. And, despite the 0-4 preseason, the Browns look like they're going to have another good year. But as a Browns fan, I'm not taking anything for granted.

To answer Jim's question, no I don't believe the Browns will open the season 0-2. They will win at least one of those games (hopefully both).

As much confidence as I have in the Browns to win at least one of those games, I wouldn't take that bet either.