After Unexpected QB Change, Browns Now Underdogs Against Steelers

Things were looking up for the Browns. Fresh off of a thrilling, 33-31 come-back win over the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland was well positioned to make a run at the AFC North. At the very least a playoff berth was very much on the radar.

Suddenly, on Wednesday, those hopes and dreams were met with a massive roadblock as the team revealed that quarterback Deshaun Watson's season was over due to another shoulder injury. This time, it's a fracture in the joint of his throwing shoulder that requires surgery to repair.

It's season-altering news for the Browns, but the show must go on. As head coach Kevin Stefanski shared publicly on Wednesday, rookie, fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson will get the first opportunity to replace Watson under center. Thompson-Robinson will make just the second start of his career against a vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 11.

Initially, the Browns opened up the Week as a four-point favorite to beat the Steelers according to the SI Sportsbook. However, that line has swayed massively in the other direction since the news of Watson's injury came to light and the announcement of DTR starting under center was made.

With Wednesday's abrupt changes, the SI Sportsbook now has Cleveland listed at -1.5 at home against their biggest rival. Some sportsbooks list the Browns as a +1.5 underdog this weekend.

That is obviously a massive swing, but it's clearly oddsmakers aren't sold on the Browns offense without Watson under center.

It is a fair concern. Earlier this season as Watson dealt with a different shoulder injury that saw him miss all but 12 snaps over the course of four games, Thompson-Robinson and veteran P.J. Walker accounted for just 643 yards passing, one touchdown and a whopping eight interceptions.

Thompson-Robinson specifically made his first career start back in Week 4 against the Ravens, and completed 19-of-32 passes, for 121 yards and three interceptions. As reflected in the movement of the line, Thompson-Robinson will have his work cut out for him against a talented Steelers defense, as he hopes to bounce back from that rough first start.