(Photo Credit: Associated Press)
The Cleveland Browns will be without their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson for today's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Watson, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, was initially expected to play but was ruled out after pre-game warm-ups. In his absence, backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will make his first NFL start.
Watson's absence is a significant development, especially considering the high stakes of this AFC North clash. Both teams were previously co-favorites to win the division, but the betting market has reacted swiftly to the news. The Browns, who were 3-point favorites as recently as Wednesday, saw the line shift dramatically this morning. Between 10:20 and 10:40 AM Eastern, the line moved from Cleveland being a 2.5-point favorite to a 2-point underdog, making Baltimore the new favorite.
This shift also impacted the AFC North futures market. Earlier in the week, both the Ravens and Browns were listed at +195 to win the division at DraftKings Sportsbook. Following the announcement of Watson's absence, the Ravens have moved to +175, while the Browns have drifted to +210.
It's not just the Browns who are dealing with injuries; the Ravens have their share of absentees as well. Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman are out, along with several key defensive players. Despite these setbacks, the Ravens are expected to have a somewhat easier task against a Browns offense led by an inexperienced quarterback.
Thompson-Robinson, while untested at the NFL level, has shown promise in extending plays and creating opportunities. However, he has shown vulnerabilities against zone defenses and when under pressure, according to NFL.com. Known by his initials DTR, Thompson-Robinson was drafted 140th overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has been groomed as a backup to Watson, fitting the Browns' preference for a dual-threat quarterback.
While at UCLA, Thompson-Robinson set school records in starts, touchdown passes, total yards of offense, and total touchdowns. He was an honorable mention in the Pac-12 in 2022 and finished the season as one of only two quarterbacks with 25-plus passing touchdowns and more than 10 rushing touchdowns.
The Browns hope Thompson-Robinson's skill set aligns with what they have been building around Watson, offering both passing and rushing capabilities. While he was initially drafted to compete for the backup role, today's game will be a significant opportunity for him to showcase his dual-threat abilities on a larger stage.
Could this be a Tom Brady scenario? As always, unlikely. However, the Browns so far this season have boasted an early 2000's Patriots-esque defense. The Browns have allowed opponents a league-low 10.7 points per contest through three games.
The game is set to kick off at 1 p.m. Eastern, and it promises to be a pivotal contest in shaping the AFC North landscape.
Consensus Game Odds as of 11:30 AM ET, 10/1/2023
Baltimore -2 @ Cleveland, Over/Under 38.5
AFC North Odds as of 11:30 AM ET, 10/1/2023
Baltimore Ravens +175
Cleveland Browns +210
Pittsburgh Steelers +350
Cincinnati Bengals +425
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