Author
Christopher Boan writes for BetOhio.com and has been covering sports and sports betting for more than seven years, with experience at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.
Deshaun Watson’s NFL Career In Home Openers: What Can We Expect Against Cowboys?
There aren’t many NFL quarterbacks that can do what Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns can do when he is the field. But that has proven to be a bit of an obstacle throughout his pro career.
This year, oddsmakers at DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook give Watson and the Browns a preseason win total over/under of 8.5, while Watson himself is listed at +6000 to win the NFL’s MVP award in 2024, ranking 21st overall.
BetOhio.com turned to ProFootballReference.com to look up how Deshaun Watson has performed historically during his career in home openers. When Watson and the Browns open at home Sept. 8 against the Cowboys to start the season, how should we expect the star QB to play?
21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in IA/KS/KY/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/TN/VA/VT/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER,
Deshaun Watson’s Career In Home Openers
Years | Record | Average | Average | Average | Average Turnovers | Average QBR |
2017-2023* | 2-3 | 58.39% | 238.8 yards | 1.4 TDs | 1.0 | 77.3 QBR |
*Watson didn’t play in 2021 or start of 2022 NFL season
Check out Cleveland Browns playoff chances with us throughout the season.
Watson, the former Clemson Tiger star, has been successful when healthy and eligible to play. His teams are 36-29 when he plays, and Watson has 118 touchdown passes and 45 interceptions in 66 NFL games with the Browns and Houston Texans. He has a 63 approximate value for his career, according to the Pro-Football-Reference website.
Watson Has Struggled in Openers
Since entering the NFL in 2017, Watson has gone 2-3 in home openers. He led Cleveland to a 24-3 victory at home over the Browns’ in-state rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, in Week 1 of the 2023 regular season.
In that contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, Watson threw for 154 yards on 16/29 passing while adding 45 yards and a score on the ground to pace the Browns to an easy opening week victory to reward Cleveland's backers at Ohio sportsbooks that day.
Watson will look to get back to .500 for his career in home openers in the 22024 season and pick up a second straight victory in such contests, building on his 238.8 yards per game and 77.3 QBR per game averages in said contests.
In their first game of the 2024-25 NFL regular season, Watson and the Browns play the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8. BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook gives Cleveland the slight edge, listing the home side as a two-point favorite with a -125 moneyline on the team (to +105 for the visitors from Texas).
Can Watson – who has dealt with injuries and suspensions in his NFL career – stay on the field long enough to help Cleveland reach its first Super Bowl? They enter the season sporting +4000 odds to reach the Big Game at DraftKings, ranking 16th in the 32-team league.
Follow us at BetOhio.com throughout the NFL season for more coverage of the Browns and Bengals, and come to us for the best Ohio sportsbook promotions on the market.
USA Today photo by Jeff Lange
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate & present in OH. In partnership with MGM Northfield Park. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.
Exclusive Offer
Bet $1
Double Your Winnings
Your Next 10 Bets
Use Promo Code:
BETOHDYW
OH only. 21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Bet $5
Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customer only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Must be 21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Bet $5, Get
$150
Instantly
21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in IA/KS/KY/LA/MD/MI/NJ/NY/TN/VA/VT/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER,
Up to
$1,500 in Bonus Bets
If Your First Bet Loses
Use Bonus Code:
BETOHCOM
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In partnership with MGM Northfield Park
Cited by leading media organizations, such as:
