SportsLine expert backs Cleveland Browns in NFL preseason Week 2
Matt Severance identifies the Browns’ quarterback competition as the key factor in his strongest pick for Saturday’s ten-game slate, which features the widest spread of the day between the Buccaneers and Chiefs.
The second week of the 2026 NFL preseason commences on Saturday with a comprehensive schedule of ten games. The day’s action begins at noon Eastern Time with the Washington Commanders visiting the Detroit Lions, followed by a slate of three matches at 1 p.m. ET, including the Buffalo Bills at the Cleveland Browns, the Atlanta Falcons at the Indianapolis Colts, and the Baltimore Ravens at the Minnesota Vikings. The evening concludes at 10 p.m. ET with the Dallas Cowboys facing the Arizona Cardinals.
SportsLine expert Matt Severance has released his betting predictions for the weekend, with his most confident selection being the Cleveland Browns, who are listed at -2.5 against the Buffalo Bills. Severance’s analysis centres on the internal dynamics within Cleveland, where an ongoing competition for the starting quarterback role is driving the team’s performance metrics.
The Browns’ quarterback rotation involves second-year veterans Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, along with rookie Taylen Green, all vying for the position against tenth-year veteran Deshaun Watson. According to Severance, Sanders is expected to take the field for the first half, Watson for the third quarter, and Gabriel for the fourth. In contrast, the Buffalo Bills are anticipated to field their backup players, a factor that influences the betting line.
Severance, a high-volume handicapper who has been active in the industry since 2005, has returned $1,437 to $100 players over the past three NFL seasons. His assessment of the Browns’ situation reflects a broader trend in the preseason, where most teams play conservatively and limit the usage of their starters, creating complex scenarios for evaluators.
The betting landscape for Saturday includes a range of spreads, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers holding the widest line at -5.5 over the Kansas City Chiefs. Four other matchups are listed with a close spread of -1.5, while the remaining games feature varying point differentials. The full slate of odds includes the Commanders at the Lions (-1.5), the Bills at the Browns (-3), the Ravens at the Vikings (-3.5), and the Falcons at the Colts (-3).
Additional matchups on the schedule see the New Orleans Saints as +1.5 underdogs against the Los Angeles Rams, the New York Giants as +3 underdogs against the Miami Dolphins, and the Chicago Bears as +1.5 underdogs against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Philadelphia Eagles are listed as +1.5 underdogs against the New England Patriots, while the Dallas Cowboys are -1.5 favourites against the Arizona Cardinals.
