Cleveland Browns 'favored' on NFL playoff odds to continue longest postseason drought

The Cleveland Browns, otherwise known to many of their fans as the "Factory of Sadness," somehow have not made the playoffs since 2002. That's easily the longest such drought in the NFL. William Hill oddsmakers aren't confident the Browns will play extra football this year, either, as they are +135 underdogs on the moneyline odds to make it and -155 to miss out again. That's despite the AFC playoff field (and NFC) expanding by one team.

How long ago was 2002 from a sports perspective?

*-In June of that year, the Los Angeles Lakers completed an NBA championship threepeat with Kobe Bryant (rest in peace), Shaquille O'Neal and Coach Phil Jackson. It would be the last title that Kobe and Shaq would win together.

*-The Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, coached by Scotty Bowman (Hall of Famer's last season on the bench) and captained by Steve Yzerman (he's now the Red Wings' GM).

*-The 2002 World Series champions were the Anaheim Angels – still the only time the Halos have ever reached the Fall Classic. Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus were the team's best hitters.

*-In the NFL that season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coached by Jon Gruden, would reach and win their only Super Bowl – routing Gruden's Raiders in that game in San Diego (which has no NFL team these days). Now Chucky is back with the Silver & Black and the Bucs have Tom Brady.

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Entering last season, oddsmakers were fairly high on the Browns as they were -110 to both make and miss the playoffs. Cleveland had finished the 2018 season very strong behind then-rookie QB Baker Mayfield, winning five of its final seven to close at 7-8-1.

However, Mayfield regressed last year and the decision to name Freddie Kitchens as head coach was a disaster. He was fired after a dysfunctional 6-10 mark – the Browns' 12th straight losing season – and replaced by Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

Cleveland opens 2020 on Sept. 13 in Baltimore as an 8.5-point underdog. The Browns have an Over-Under season win total of 8.5, with the Under a -120 favorite. 

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