Redskins vs. Browns Betting Guide: Can Cleveland’s Offense Match the Hype?

Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns Betting Odds

• Spread: Redskins -1
• Over/Under: 35
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

The Browns host the Redskins in one of 11 Preseason Week 1 matchups on Thursday night. Let's take a look at key storylines for both teams, complete with daily fantasy analysis and a pick.

Washington Redskins

It's fair to wonder how much of head coach Jay Gruden's early success in Washington was due to the presence of now-Rams' head coach Sean McVay.

Washington Yards Per Play Ranks Under Gruden

• 2014: 10th
• 2015: 10th
• 2016: Second
• Sean McVay leaves for L.A.
• 2017: 15th
• 2018: 28th

We'll see a mix of Dwayne Haskins, Case Keenum and Colt McCoy on Thursday, but each will be without the services of stud left tackle Trent Williams (holdout).

The Redskins also are expected to be without a number of linebackers just one season removed from losing the fewest amount of games on the defensive side of the ball (per Football Outsiders).

Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield put together about as good of a rookie season as we’ve seen for a quarterback over the better part of the past two decades.

Here’s how he ranked among 50 quarterbacks with eight-plus starts since 2000:

• Touchdowns: 27 (first among 50 rookie QBs with 8+ starts since 2000)
• TD rate: 5.6% (third)
• Yards per attempt: 7.7 (eighth)
• Adjusted yards per attempt: 7.5 (seventh)
• Yards per game: 284.6 (first)
• Completion rate: 63.8% (eighth)
• QB rating: 93.7 (fifth)

The Browns’ decision to remove the interim title from head coach Freddie Kitchens was thanks in large part to his ability to turn around Mayfield’s rookie season:

• Weeks 1-8: 58% completion rate, 6.6 yards per attempt, 3.5% TD rate
• Weeks 9-17: 68% completion rate, 8.6 yards per attempt, 7.2% TD rate

To reiterate: Mayfield is a BALLER.

The Browns deserve their offseason hype, but don't expect to see many if any of those players who have helped drive up national interest due to both rest and injury.

Cleveland appears to be far more banged up than Washington at the moment.

PICK: Washington -1