7 Nov 1999: A general view of the stadium during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens defeated the Browns 41-9. Mandatory Credit: Mark Lyons /AllsportSports bettor James Holzhauer rose to prominence this year with his record-setting performances on Jeopardy! Now a celebrity, he’s making the rounds on interview, and his takes on the upcoming football season may surprise many.
In an interview on Peter King’s Football Morning in America, Holzhauer said that he felt the Patriots and the Rams were the two best – albeit boring – bets to win the Super Bowl.
As for his thoughts on the worst bet, Holzhauer explained that it’s important to avoid teams with “all the hype surrounding them.” He seemed stunned that the Cleveland Browns were such a popular pick.
“…I would say that the big thing to avoid is look away from the teams that have all the hype surrounding them. I can’t believe we live in a world where the Cleveland Browns are the most hyped team in the preseason. But I would say they’re probably the single worst bet to win the Super Bowl right now.”
As of writing, the Browns are tied for the fifth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl at +1400 per SportsBetting.ag. They are +700 to win the AFC Championship Game, and +110 to win the AFC North.
Holzhauer does not believe that the Browns are going to be the worst team, though. King clarified that point later.
Holzhauer didn’t say the Browns were the worst team. He said they were the worst team to bet on. Cleveland's the number 9 favorite to win the Super Bowl, at 16-1.
Chargers: 18-1.
Seahawks: 25-1.
Vikings: 25-1.
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What’s unreasonable about Holzhauer’s point? https://t.co/b0HB5OLVp1— Peter King (@peter_king) July 22, 2019
The hype around the Browns has been almost non-stop since the team finished the season 7-8-1. But some of it has been well-deserved.
Rookies Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb created a dynamic offense that looks to get better this year with the acquisition of All-Pro wideout Odell Beckham Jr along with other potential stars.
But the Browns do also own the distinction of having the longest playoff drought in the NFL. Combined with facing a tough AFC North, it won’t be easy to even get to the playoffs, let alone win the Super Bowl.
Holzhauer may have the right idea from a betting perspective.
