Browns vs. Jets 2019: Prediction Against The Spread, Betting Odds For Week 2 Monday Night Football

What was supposed to be an exciting “Monday Night Football” matchup between two young quarterbacks has turned into a potentially lopsided game. The Cleveland Browns are laying nearly a touchdown in their contest with the New York Jets now that Sam Darnold has been ruled out with mononucleosis.

After opening the week as 2.5-point favorites, the Browns are now favored by 6.5 points on the road, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark. The total moved from 45.5 to 44.

Darnold’s replacement is Trevor Siemian, who hasn’t started an NFL game since losing his job with the Denver Broncos in 2017. The quarterback had a 73.3 passer rating with 12 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in 10 starts that season.

There are high hopes for Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield in his sophomore season. The No.1 overall pick got off to a rocky start with three interceptions in a 43-13 Week 1 loss at home to the Tennessee Titans.

New York was defeated 17-16 by the Buffalo Bills in their home opener. Can they be competitive with Cleveland now that they’re down to their backup quarterback?

The Browns are clearly the more likely team to pick up their first victory of the season. Laying the 6.5 points, however, might not be the wisest decision.

Cleveland isn’t nearly as bad as they looked in Week 1, but they aren’t as good as the preseason hype might’ve suggested. The Browns are a very young team with an unproven quarterback and a rookie head coach that is coming off a losing season.

You shouldn’t feel confident in picking Cleveland as a heavy road favorite, even when Trevor Siemian is starting for the opposing team.

The Browns are 2-18 in their last 20 road games. Cleveland went 2-5 with Mayfield as a starter on the road last season, beating the last-place Cincinnati Bengals and winning in Denver by a point.

The downgrade from Darnold to Siemian might not be as pronounced as some think. The Jets’ second-year quarterback didn’t play particularly well in Week 1, despite New York leading by two scores in the fourth quarter.

Le’Veon Bell looked like his old self in the season opener. The running back could have a big night in primetime.

Cleveland was undisciplined in the season opener, committing 18 penalties. Don’t be surprised if they overlook New York and this contest is close for most of the way.

Prediction Against The Spread: Cleveland over New York, 27-24