NFL · Thu (8/3) @ 8:00 pm ET
| New York Jets | at | Cleveland Browns |
| Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OR | ||
The Hall of Fame Game that annually opens the NFL’s preseason schedule kicks off in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday night when the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets tangle. Let’s look at odds, props, and predictions for the exhibition contest.
The Browns are listed as favorites of 1.5 to 2 points on the odds boards on the top-rated sports betting apps as of Thursday afternoon.
The over/under total ranges from 33.5 to 34. Last year in the regular season, there was only one game with a total less than that, when Cleveland played host to New Orleans with an O/U of 32. (The Saints won, 17-10). Yet, this is the highest O/U for a Hall of Fame Game in three seasons.
Jets vs. Browns: Who Will Play in Hall of Fame Game?
As usual with preseason openers, don’t expect to see many, if any, high-profile players participating in what typically is an opportunity for the coaching staffs to get a good look at second- and third-teamers, and players not even that high on the depth charts.
In this case, that means no Aaron Rodgers at QB for the Jets and no Deshaun Watson behind center for Cleveland. But what did you expect?
So, Who Will Be Playing QB?
With neither team expected to play any starters, that means backups along the offensive line, which helps account for such a low expected point total and a reason for keeping Rodgers and Watson out of harm’s way.
Yet last season, in the first full week of NFL preseason, when all 32 teams were in action for the first time, the point totals flew over 40 in 10 of the 16 games.
Reports indicate the Browns want to get a good lock at rookie fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a quarterback out of UCLA. Also in the mix to play are veteran second-teamer Joshua Dobbs and ex-Minnesota Viking Kellen Mond.
For the Jets, coach Robert Saleh confirmed Sunday that former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, who was booed off the field by the home fans and benched late last season, will see some playing time but didn’t say how much. Third-stringer Tim Boyle and fourth-stringer Chris Streveler also should get a share of the action.
The Jets will no doubt will be looking for improvement in the running game from backups Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight, who each averaged 3.5 yards per carry last season. Regular starter Breece Hall had a 5.8 norm before suffering a knee injury during his rookie 2022 season.
Also expected to play for New York is 2020 first-round selection, offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, who’s been injured virtually all of the past two seasons, in addition to being somewhat out of shape.
Jets vs. Browns Props: Limited Menu for Hall of Fame Game
The props bet menu is sparse for Thursday’s game, but he’s a sampling from FanDuel, BetRivers, and DraftKings.
Winning Margin (FanDuel)
- New York Jets by 1-13 Pts +150
- New York Jets 14+ +380
- Cleveland Browns by 1-13 Pts +175
- Cleveland Browns 14+ +500
Half Time/End of 4th Quarter (BetRivers)
- Jets/Jets +133
- Jets/Tie +3000
- Jets/Browns +750
- Tie/Jets +1500
- Tie/Tie +4000
- Tie/Browns +1600
- Browns/Jets +700
- Browns/Tie +3000
- Browns/Browns +150
First to Score (DraftKings)
- Jets -145
- Browns +114
Jets vs. Browns Prediction
With beloved Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas being inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend, gobs of Browns fans will be making the one-hour drive down from Cleveland to Canton for this game and the induction ceremonies.
That’s all the more reason for Stefanski and his staff to at least attempt to prevail and give the fans a reason to shake the rust off their well-rested throats.
Plus, a key could be the switch in coordinators for each team.
For New York, new OC Nathaniel Hackett, who recently was lambasted by Denver coach Sean Payton for his work with the Broncos last year, will be hoping his troops can digest his new way of doing things. He has close ties with Rodgers from their time in Green Bay, but a lot of good that will do him here.
For Cleveland, well-respected defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz takes over a stout unit that should give the Jets’ backup QBs fits while adjusting to a new system.
Prediction: Browns 17, Jets 10
Jets, Browns Both Anticipating Big Year
Saleh’s Jets went 3-0 in exhibition games in 2023, and Browns of coach Kevin Stefanski had a 1-2 mark. But Cleveland was 3-0 a year earlier in practice games.
But as an indication of how winning in the preseason doesn’t necessary carry over to the regular season, look at the 2008 Detroit Lions. They went 4-0 in exhibitions and followed that up with a 0-16 regular season.
The Jets and Browns wound up 7-10 in 2022 and out of the playoffs, but both have high, high hopes entering 2023.
New York was flirting with making the playoffs last year after a 7-4 start, before dropping its final seven games. Cleveland, with Watson suspended the first 11 games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, opened 4-7 but went 3-3 when Watson returned. He’ll be assisted mightily by standout RB Nick Chubb, who had 1,525 ground yards last year.
As for their Super Bowl odds, the Jets are listed at +1600 at various sites with the Browns at +3500. Not shabby.
But then there’s this side note: In the 57 Hall of Fame Classics played since the inaugural in 1962 (there have been four seasons without one), no team that participated in the game went on to win the NFL title that season.
How to Watch Jets vs. Browns
Thursday, Aug. 3: NY Jets vs. Cleveland, 8 p.m. EDT
Site: Canton, Ohio
On the Air: NBC-TV; live streaming on Peacock
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