Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft: Week 1 Betting Odds Move Due to QB Situation

The Cleveland Browns will open up their 2012 NFL schedule by hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 9, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

BetOnline sports book currently has the Browns listed as seven-point home underdogs, moving up a half point after the NFL draft finished up over the past weekend.

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson was taken third overall by Cleveland, but the movement in the betting odds was likely caused by the team's other first-round selection.

Brandon Weeden is expected to be involved in a position battle with Colt McCoy during the offseason, as the Oklahoma State Cowboys' signal-caller was taken with the Browns' 22nd overall pick, joining three other quarterbacks to be taken in Thursday night's opening round.

Sports bettors wasted no time getting down on the Eagles in anticipation of potentially facing a rookie under center in the season opener, especially with the Browns dropping both games against the Baltimore Ravens (24-10) and Pittsburgh Steelers (13-9) in straight-up fashion as seven-point home underdogs a year ago.

Richardson does give the fanbase hope of starting the year off in the win column, facing a defense that ranked 16th in the NFL in rush defense in 2011, surrendering 112.6 yards per game. He can only help a rushing attack that finished 28th in the league in averaging 95.7 yards per game on the ground.

I'd recommend playing against the Browns at this stage, considering the Eagles came away with a dominating 31-13 win over the St. Louis Rams as four-point road favorites to open the 2011 season.

Early Pick: Philadelphia Eagles -7

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