The Verdict Is In

After months of rampant speculation around the league, yesterday morning, controversial Browns' QB Deshaun Watson was finally hit with an official suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy 👇

• Barring an appeal, Watson is set to miss the first six games of the regular season, and he'll return just in time for a rivalry game in Baltimore on October 23rd

• You likely don't need a reminder why the embattled star is facing a suspension, and the relative leniency of it, especially in comparison to other cases, has more than a few fans upset

Agree with the suspension length or not, there's no denying that having Watson for most of the season instantly improves Cleveland's chances of winning football games. Expectedly, odds on Browns' futures have shifted accordingly 🔀

• The Browns now have nearly the same odds to win the Super Bowl (+2200, tied for 12th-best) as two of their division-rivals, the Bengals and Ravens

• Oddsmakers have Cleveland pegged as a playoff team, giving them EVEN odds to reach the postseason, along with +230 odds to win the AFC North

Jacoby Brissett is serviceable in a starting role and should be able to keep the Browns afloat until Watson returns, but even if the former Texan immediately picks up where he left off, the North certainly won't be a cakewalk ⬇️

Who Ya Got In The North?

The AFC is absolutely loaded this year, and while the West is my pick for the toughest division in football (and IMO, one of the most stacked in recent memory), the North isn't too far behind 😤

• Three teams in the division now have Top-15 Super Bowl odds, led by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at +2100

• Despite a last place finish in 2021, oddsmakers are also backing Baltimore to come out on top in the division race this season (+170)

I know history typically hasn't been kind to Super Bowl runner-ups, but the Ravens as favorites feels disrespectful to the Bengals and my man Joey Brrr 🧊

• Friendly reminder the former Heisman winner was able to lead the Bengals to a division crown and a championship appearance in just his second season, all while coming off a devastating leg injury 🐶

• With a young and dynamic set of playmakers at his disposal, including budding superstar Ja'Marr Chase, it's no wonder why Burrow is a hot pick to bring home an MVP trophy this year (+1200)

• Bengals fans can relax now, as Burrow was seen today watching practice

Despite their recent odds surge, the Browns need a lot to break right in order to reach their potential, and the long shot Steelers are facing quarterback uncertainty in the post-Big Ben era. The North race is a dog fight year in and year out, but my money is on a Bengals' repeat 🐅

For My Parlay Gurus

I'm all in on the Bengals winning the AFC North this season, but for those of you looking for an immediate parlay fix, I've got my eye on a couple NRFIs (No Run First Innings) in today's MLB slate. Check it out 👇

• U 0.5 First Inning Diamondbacks (Gallen) vs. Guardians (McKenzie): -130

• U 0.5 First Inning Blue Jays (Gausman) vs. Rays (Rasmussen): -165

$100 on this bet would win you $184 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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