Jets vs Browns: Best bets, TV schedule & betting preview for Hall of Fame Game 2023

Jets vs Browns: Best bets, TV schedule & betting preview for Hall of Fame Game 2023

We finally have football back on our screens! The 2023 Hall of Fame game takes place this evening just 7 days before the beginning of the league’s preseason slate. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns will battle it out in Canton Ohio and if you’re like me, you’re already looking through Training Camp updates looking for underdogs to back.

Jets vs Browns: Hall of Fame Game info

Date: Thursday, August 3rd
Time: 8:00PM ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
TV channel: NFL Network

Jets vs Browns: Hall of Fame Odds

Money line: New York Jets (-125) | Cleveland Browns (+105)
Spread: New York Jets -1.5 (-110) | Cleveland Browns +1.5 (-110)
Game total: Over/Under 33.5 (-110)

Jets vs Browns: Hall of Fame game Analysis

Quarterbacks

As with any preseason opener, don’t expect the starting quarterbacks to be suiting up. That means no Aaron Rodgers, and no Deshaun Watson. In fact, even Browns backup Josh Dobbs is sitting this one out. That means fans will be treated to a healthy dose of Zach Wilson for the Jets and a likely combo of Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kellen Mond in Cleveland.

However, Zach Wilson is the only QB suiting up with any kind of significant NFL experience. Sure, he struggled last season and has now been replaced by Aaron Rodgers, but he is a somewhat capable arm. You can bet on the Jets to score first at -145, which could be a way to capitalize on this with only limited options available. However, a stalled opening drive or even a coin-toss win for the Browns do lend some value to Cleveland to score first at +114.

Jets vs Browns: Which offense has a few hidden aces?

If you’re looking for potential DFS plays or reasons to like the Cleveland offense, someone like WR Cedric Tillman is going to be an interesting play. He’s stuck behind former Jets wideout Elijah Moore, and David Bell, but could well end up being a primary pass-catcher in the second half of tonight’s game. The 6’3 rookie could be a menace down in the red-zone, especially if he’s working against UDFA’s on the other side of the field.

The Browns could also be looking to give RB Jerome Ford an extended look. He only had 8 carries as a rookie but will now fly up the depth chart after some offseason cleaning to be Nick Chubb’s right-hand man. He was a great pass-catcher for Cincinnati at the collegiate level and could well be utilized on screens and sweeps later tonight.

I don’t think the Browns win this game, but you can back the Jets to win by 7-12 at +475, which at least gives you a one-possession cushion to work with, and it’s one that Cleveland should be able to reach comfortably.

Why you should back the Jets

Aside from being the only team to field a remotely capable NFL quarterback, the Jets have a few things going for them. Robert Saleh is 4-2 in preseason games, he has the increased pressure of ‘Hard Knocks’ and of course the presence of Aaron Rodgers. He’ll want his Jets to make a statement on Thursday night and that could be enough to push them over the edge against a Cleveland team that isn’t even willing to send out its QB2 for some snaps.