Browns vs. Saints Odds Shift With Shedeur Sanders Starting

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Browns Quarterback Change Moves the Market Against New Orleans

The betting market shifted dramatically ahead of Saturday’s game between New Orleans and Cleveland. After opening with New Orleans as a three-point favorite, the line dropped to 1.5 as significant Browns money arrived.

News then broke that Deshaun Watson had entered the concussion protocol, making Shedeur Sanders Cleveland’s new starting quarterback. The development promptly pushed the line back to around three points in favor of New Orleans.

Despite the quarterback change, Cleveland’s defense will still need to lead the way. There may not be a significant drop-off from Watson to Sanders, particularly because the Browns have relied heavily on their defense and a kicker who has made every kick asked of him this season.

Cleveland also deserves credit for already exceeding its season win total and overachieving in every way. The coaching and coordination may have been central to that success.

The Browns could be undervalued with Sanders starting. Their approach remains clear: hand the ball to Judkins and find playmakers such as Concepcion, Denzel Boston and tight end Harold Fannin. Fannin was described as the NFL’s most underrated tight end and a potential top-three player at his position by the end of the season.

New Orleans has been playing poorly and is difficult to trust as a favorite. Sanders has been with Cleveland from the start, working with the new head coach and learning the playbook, so the quarterback change may not represent a major downgrade. Taking the Browns with three points against the Saints remains an appealing position.