Sports betting writer Dylan Svoboda is in his third season in the Post’s NFL Bettor’s Guide.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-8) over Cleveland Browns
There might not be many more opportunities to bet against Deshaun Watson as an NFL starting quarterback.
Take advantage while you still can.
Watson and the Browns were dreadful in a 34-10 loss to the Jaguars in Week 1, and his garbage-time play made the performance look much better than it actually was.
Through three quarters, Watson had completed just 11 passes for 100 yards with an interception as they fell way behind in the game.
Most of his 205 passing yards, including a 46-yard touchdown that made his final stat line much prettier than it looked live, came in garbage time against Jacksonville’s backups.
The Browns are sticking with Watson for at least another week, but there is already speculation that ownership’s $230 million investment in the quarterback is playing a role in keeping him on the field.
If he turns in another performance like Week 1, it could be his final start before the Browns return to Cleveland, where it’s likely Watson will receive another cold welcome from the frustrated fanbase.
That makes this potentially one last opportunity to fade him before the Browns likely hand the ball back to Shedeur Sanders.
The Buccaneers are also 0-1, but their opener was much less concerning.
Tampa Bay lost 33-27 to Cincinnati despite turning the ball over four times, with Baker Mayfield responsible for three lost fumbles.
Those giveaways resulted in 24 Bengals points, yet the Bucs still finished within one score.
Betting on the NFL?
Mayfield has always been turnover-prone, but expecting another performance as sloppy as last week is asking for an extreme outlier to repeat.
Against a Browns offense that showed almost nothing before garbage time, the Bucs should have plenty of margin for error with this big spread.
Lay the points with the Buccaneers.
LAST WEEK: 0-1 (Texans, L)
SEASON: 0-1
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
