The Cleveland Browns have disappointed and frustrated their fans for an entire generation now. Fans had to endure an 0-16 season recently, just the second time in NFL history a team lost all 16 of their games and they have had a losing record for 12 straight years.
However, this was to be the year. There are even some who believe that Cleveland will actually compete for the AFC title.
That kind of confidence seemed to buoy one fan who was willing to wager $506,000 on his beloved Browns to beat the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. Needless to say, he wound up being a half a million dollars poorer after the Browns 20-13 loss.
According to Darren Rovell of the Action Network, the unidentified fan wagered $506,000 at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City. Los Angeles was favored by 3.5 points over Cleveland in this contest, but this was expected to be a real dogfight with the contest being in Cleveland.
Sign up for a FREE Consultation to start working with Legendary Sports Bettor Jon Price
The Browns were 1-0 at home the season after going 5-2-1 in 2018, and there was a lot of optimism that the defending NFC champions were no match for the Browns at home. Oh, how wrong they were.
Second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield struggled all night long, completing 18 of 36 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He was also sacked three times, as Los Angeles continued to use an aggressive defense to shut down the Browns QB.
Compounding matters was the fact that Cleveland first-year coach Freddie Kitchens may have made the worst fourth and long call ever, calling for a draw play on fourth and nine at the Rams 40. Nick Chubbs gained just two yards, setting the stage for what would become a very disappointing night in Cleveland.
What was surprising was that the unidentified gambler was willing to take the action. Bettors believed that the heavily favored Rams were the way to go, and it is reported that most sportsbooks took a bath on this contest as it was the heaviest wagered game of the 2019 NFL season to this point.
There is still plenty of good news for Cleveland. At 1-2-0, they are in the hunt for the AFC North crown. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could very well be out for the season and the Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, the team that is ahead of them in the standings.
There is clearly a lot to be positive about in Cleveland, but don’t tell that to the man who finds his bank account a half a million dollars smaller than it was at this time last week. For him, the Browns have clearly given him the blues.