The Cleveland Browns, who have opened three new cans of quarterbacks this season, can clinch a playoff spot tonight. All they have to do is beat the New York Jets.
Simple, right?
Maybe not.
Last week, the Jets led the Washington Commanders 27-7 on their home field at halftime. Start counting your Jets tickets, right?
Not so fast Maxwell.
The Jets managed to fall behind before pulling out the straight up win, 30-28. Now count your Jets tickets? Nope. The Jets were playing in one of their rare favorite rolls last week and while giving three points, and winning by two, they lost for their backers.
Seems so unfair, unless you adhere to the oldest rule in sports betting … never bet on the Jets as a favorite.
Okay, so how about tonight? The Browns are on a terror and have landed on Joe Flacco as their savior at quarterback. The Browns are at home with a playoff berth the prize for beating the Jets. Heck, earlier this season the Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens in their return 2023 meeting.
If they can beat the Ravens and win ten games this year while shuffling through quarterback like a dealer in Vegas does cards, you can at least have them win tonight to clinch one of the seven postseason slots in the American Football Conference.
Well, before you bet on that, know this, they aren’t going to cover this point spread.
Why?
Because the Jets have something to play for tonight that a spoiler relishes like a kid does ice cream. Even though they are one of the four AFC teams eliminated from playoff consideration they get to affect the postseason lineup. And they can do it on the road against a Browns team favored by more than a touchdown.
And the Jets are not as bad as they appear in print. This is a team that did something this season most often reserved for the best teams in the NFL; they won both sides of their bye week. Headed into their bye, the Jets downed the Philadelphia Eagles, pinning Nick Sirianni’s team with their first loss of the season. Then, one might think, me included, that sitting on that monumental triumph for two weeks would lead to a poor performance in their next game.
It didn’t.
The Jets beat the New York Giants in their first game after their bye week.
I know, it is only the Giants, but it is a victory in a spot most teams would have found a way to lose in.
So, I’ve got more respect for the New York team in Green than most. And while I have no sympathy for bettors who lost last week betting on the Jets, after all, they were favored, I’m wondering if those same bettors would have the courage to jump back on the Jets this week?
They should.
Because tonight, the Jets could win and for sure will cover the generous point spread.
Qoxhi Picks: New York Jets (+7½) over the Cleveland Browns