DeShaun Watson suspended for 11 games – Not that you were betting the Cleveland Browns, anyway

18 August 2022

After weeks of negative fan reaction ranging from headshaking to outrage and threats of boycott, the NFL has announced a reaching of agreement between themselves and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) regarding the punishment forthcoming Cleveland Browns QB DeShaun Watson.

Rather than the previous 6-game suspension handed down after Watson had been accused by 24 women of harassment and predatory behavior, Watson will now be suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season without pay as well as receive a fine of $5 million. The Browns are also being assessed $1 million, to be donated along with Watson’s $6 million to non-profit organizations.

Those who have been following the news may note that Watson’s punishment for what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has called “egregious and predatory” pales in comparison to Josh Shaw (two seasons and he’s not found a job yet in the NFL) and Calvin Ridley (anywhere from all 17 games in 2022 to forever), but what have you.

NFLbets previously figured that the schedule makers had done the Browns something of a favor with an opening six games of:

• at Carolina Panthers
• vs New York Jets
• vs Pittsburgh Steelers
• at Atlanta Falcons
• vs Los Angeles Chargers
• vs New England Patriots

…with Watson now also to miss:

• at Baltimore Ravens
• vs Cincinnati Bengals
• bye
• at Miami Dolphins
• at Buffalo Bills
• vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Of these five games, sportsbooks’ over/under total wins proposition bet odds figure that four of these five are playoff teams. Watson technically could be ready to return for week 13,

• at Houston Texans

…but at that point Cleveland may be ready to tank games – not unlike the Texans. And a quarterback of superior abilities might be useful for at least a couple games of the Browns’ final five:

• at Cincinnati
• vs Baltimore
• vs New Orleans Saints
• at Washington Commanders
• at Pittsburgh

Sportsbooks swiftly made to adjust the odds on the Cleveland Browns’ 2022 season, resetting the win total proposition bet to its pre-Watson decision setting.

• Over/under win total: OFF (was 8½)
• to win AFC North: +300 (up from +230)
• to win AFC: 16/1 (up from 12/1)
• to win Super Bowl LVII: 30/1 (up from 25/1)

…but you’re not betting the Browns, anyway.