Browns fans, bettors celebrate after Baker Mayfield’s debut
One game does not an All-Pro quarterback make. But Baker Mayfield’s performance Thursday for the Browns was a smash-hit debut, especially for those of us who took Cleveland as a 3-point favorite in a 21-17 victory over the New York Jets.
It had been 635 days without a victory for the Browns. Now you can bet that Mayfield will be the starting quarterback when they play at the Raiders on Sept. 30.
Now, here’s our best bets for the weekend.
Saturday
Minnesota +2 over Maryland
VSiN’s Dave Tuley is my favorite underdog handicapper, and he says the wrong team is favored. Playing at home, Maryland is coming off a 35-14 loss to Temple as a 15-point favorite. So Dave points out that there is no real home-field advantage for the Terps. Shop around for the Gophers at plus 3.
Stanford -2 over Oregon
Stanford welcomes back star running back Bryce Love, and coach David Shaw’s team won’t be intimidated by Autzen Stadium. On its last visit to Oregon, the Cardinal buried the Ducks 52-27. Stanford’s K.J. Costello is becoming one of the Pac-12’s better quarterbacks. He led impressive victories over Southern California by 14 points and San Diego State by 21. Oregon has played inferior teams Bowling Green, Portland State and San Jose State and is 1-2 against the spread.
Sunday
Jacksonville -9½ over Tennessee
I don’t expect this to be a letdown spot for the Jaguars, because they lost twice last season to the Titans. Other than an early trick play, Tennessee didn’t do much in its upset of Houston last week. The Texans beat themselves. Jacksonville’s defense at home is No. 1 in the NFL. Sacks and turnovers are the Jaguars’ specialty, and it will be a long afternoon if Blaine Gabbert has to play at quarterback again for the Titans. I saw two clips this week of Marcus Mariota attempting to throw the football with his damaged elbow, and I can’t imagine him being 100 percent Sunday, with or without painkillers.
Kansas City -6½ over San Francisco
The Patrick Mahomes era is well underway. Of all the new starting quarterbacks, he is blessed with the best scoring weapons. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, tight end Travis Kelce and running back Kareem Hunt provide him with tremendous touchdown targets. The Chiefs are the NFL’s most impressive 2-0 team because they soundly defeated two AFC contenders — San Diego and Pittsburgh — on the road. Arrowhead Stadium resembles a college environment when the Chiefs are rolling. Expect it to be a raucous scene. Jimmy Garoppolo will have his hands full with the crowd noise, just as he did in Week 1 at Minnesota. Garoppolo is 7-2 ATS in his career starts, but that “2” has come in the last two weeks — at Minnesota and home against Detroit. You don’t get healthy against the spread taking on Mahomes and the potent Chiefs.
Brent Musburger’s betting column appears Saturday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His show on the Vegas Stats & Information Network can be heard on SiriusXM 204 and livestreamed at reviewjournal.com/vegas-stats-information-network.
