Browns' Preseason Debut for Shedeur Sanders Triggers Rise in Betting Odds
In the latest development in the NFL's offseason drama, Shedeur Sanders, the son of a former NFL great, has made waves with his impressive preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders, who is still a long shot to beat out Joe Flacco and win the starting job less than a month away according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, showcased his potential during the team's game against the Carolina Panthers. He completed 14 out of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, a performance that generated a lot of interest among NFL fans.
This strong display earned Sanders the title of FanDuel's most-bet player to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award even before his preseason debut. After the game, this interest surged, with FanDuel taking 341 bets on Sanders to win OROY in a three-hour window following his performance.
Betting markets have seen a significant surge in interest for Sanders to win the OROY award. Initially, he had odds around +1800 to +2500, positioning him as an underdog but still a contender for the award. However, after Joe Flacco was named the Week 1 starter for the Browns and Sanders suffered an oblique strain, his odds dropped to +4000 at many sportsbooks. Despite these setbacks, Sanders remains a potential candidate for the award, especially if he sees significant playing time during the season.
Following his debut game, Sanders received 15% of the bets and 20% of the handle on FanDuel for the OROY award. DraftKings, ESPN Bet, and BetMGM also reported a surge of bets on Sanders after his preseason debut with the Cleveland Browns.
Nike even used Sanders' debut performance for a viral marketing post, further fuelling the hype around the young quarterback. However, Kenny Pickett and rookie Dillon Gabriel, who are also on the Browns' roster, are currently blocking Sanders' path to the starting role.
As the NFL season approaches, fans are taking a major leap of faith that Shedeur Sanders will become a regular starter and play a starring role for Cleveland this season. The surge in betting interest for Sanders indicates a strong belief among some fans that he will have a significant impact on the Browns' season. Despite the challenges ahead, Sanders' strong preseason debut has certainly moved the needle on the futures market for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
[1] Cleveland.com - Sanders is still a long shot to beat out Joe Flacco and win the starting job less than a month away
[2] Cleveland Browns Official Site - Sanders' preseason debut generates interest
[3] Covers - Sanders was FanDuel's most-bet player to win OROY on Monday
[4] ESPN - Sanders drops to +4000 to win OROY after Flacco named starter
[5] BetMGM - Sanders' odds to win OROY drop after Flacco named starter
[1] The sports world is closely watching as Shedeur Sanders, with Joe Flacco still holding the starting position, tries to sway the Cleveland Browns' decision less than a month before the NFL season starts.
[2] Shedeur Sanders' promising preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns, including completing 14 out of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, has captured the attention of NFL fans, spawning significant interest in sports-betting markets.
[3] NFL fans' confidence in Shedeur Sanders' potential has been reflected in the betting landscape, with FanDuel reporting a rise in bets for Sanders to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award just hours after his impressive preseason performance.
