New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns Prediction: How to Bet the 2023 Hall of Fame Game
The New York Jets play the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Hall of Fame Game tonight. Ben Rajavuori explains how to bet on the 2023 Hall of Fame Game. Read on to see his prediction and pick.
Ben Rajavuori - August 3, 2023, 4:33 PM EDT
5 minNew York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns Prediction: How to Bet the 2023 Hall of Fame Game
Football is back! Sort of, but we'll take it. I know I speak for all bettors when I say that watching/betting on preseason games after the dog days of summer with only MLB to bet on is refreshing, and it is nice to just see the players back on the field, even if it is third and fourth-stringers. You still get to see rookies showing off for their new team and guys lower on the depth chart fighting for a step up the ladder. Nevertheless, we have football, and this game has some interesting aspects.
Jets vs. Browns Hall of Fame Game Start Time, Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, August 3, 2023
- Start Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBC
New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame Game Prediction
While preseason games are typically more low scoring due to dumbed-down offensive schemes and less reliable quarterbacks (and subsequently every other position), the total is very low tonight, even for a preseason game. The total sits at 33.5, despite some heavy action coming in on the under, both from the public and sharps. The books seem keen on this number, but what catches my eye is the first half total. The first-half total is 16.5, which is a number that I think is very doable considering who we will see in the first half.
For the Jets, it will be Zach Wilson starting in the first half, and while it can be easy to look back on how things have gone for him in the NFL so far, he is still one of the better options you can expect to see in the preseason. What makes this spot interesting to me with Wilson is that there is essentially zero pressure to perform here. He's not trying to prove anything.
The Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers in the offseason in one of the biggest off-season moves this summer, and that means Wilson will be on the bench no matter what. With a weight lifted off his shoulders, knowing he is already going to be riding the bench, I think he will take some risks and ultimately just go out there and have fun. We saw Zach air it out often at BYU, and we know he has the capability to hit long plays, so I think we will see a fair share of chunk shots from Wilson in the first half tonight.
On the other side, it will be Kellen Mond starting the first half for the Browns. Mond was an impressive rushing quarterback at Texas A&M, rushing for 2,152 yards in college, but he has improved as a passer in his few years in the Viking's system after being drafted by them in the third round. While the Jet's defense is looking well set up for 2023, with a lot of youngsters in tonight, Mond will likely create a lot of problems with his legs as a mobile quarterback. Kevin Stefanski also has a knack for preseason offensive success, as his teams have averaged 20.5 points per game since he has taken over with the Browns.
While this game is expected to be very low scoring, I think the lower scoring comes in the second half, as is usually the case with preseason games most of the time. The Browns and Jets have both been successful offensive teams in the preseason in recent years, and we will see Zach Wilson and a mobile Kellen Mond in the first half. We just need two touchdowns and a field goal here.
New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame Game Pick
Pick: Browns/Jets First Half Over 16.5 -115 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NFL Odds
