Browns Over Under Wins, 2026 NFL Win Totals

For the 2026 NFL season, the Browns win total sits at 6.5 wins at the BetMGM online sportsbook. 

Cleveland finished 5-12 last year, the second straight season they went under their preseason win total. The poor finish led Cleveland to fire Kevin Stefanski, replacing him with Todd Monken. 

Despite the changes, Cleveland saw an increase in its win total. Last year, Cleveland began the regular season with a win total set at 5.5. Now, it has risen to 6.5. 

Here’s a look at the NFL odds for Cleveland’s 2026 win total and my Browns win total prediction. 

Browns Win Total Odds

The Browns’ season win total is set at 6.5 games. 

Oddsmakers expect the under to be the more likely outcome. Currently, Cleveland is +135 to win seven or more games. 

Meanwhile, the odds for them to finish with six or fewer wins is -160. 

Here are the 2026 NFL win totals for all AFC North teams:

• Baltimore Ravens: 11.5 Wins
• Cincinnati Bengals: 9.5 Wins
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 8.5 Wins
• Cleveland Browns: 6.5 Wins

Browns Win Total Prediction 2026

Based on Jim Schwartz’s departure and Cleveland’s consistent reliance on defense to win games, I predict the Browns finish Under 6.5 Wins (-160). 

Of all the season win totals this season, this one makes me scratch my head the most. One can view the Browns as lucky to get to five wins last year…now you’re asking for a two-win jump. 

Cleveland beat a D.K. Metcalf-less Pittsburgh 13-6 in Week 17. They survived three plays from their own seven-yard line in the process. 

Not one but TWO defensive touchdowns from their own half gave Cleveland a 20-18 win over the Bengals in Week 18. 

It’s my belief that Cleveland finds itself in a worse coaching situation compared to last season. Notably, Schwartz leaves behind a defense that placed second in DVOA in 2023. 

The personnel remains intact, but I wonder if Schwartz’s departure leaves a greater impact than one might perceive. 

Offensively, Cleveland looks set on a return to Deshaun Watson at quarterback. How he’ll look after only 20 games in three years is completely unknown. 

Either Watson or Shedeur Sanders will operate behind a horrific offensive line. 

Cleveland returns zero starters from last year’s line, forcing them to spend in free agency on fringe personnel. Running back Quinshon Judkins also faces a return from injury next year. 

It’s entirely possible that Watson leads an improved offense. Betting on it to happen post-Achilles tear is a different story. 

That said, Watson showed halfway-decent performances in Cleveland. Take Weeks 1-3 and Weeks 9-10 of the ‘23 season. 

In the former sample, Watson ranked 16th of 29th in adjusted EPA per play (min. 100 plays). In Weeks 9-10, Watson ranked 10th of 14th (min. 75 plays). 

Watson dropped to 32nd in that stat for Weeks 1-7 of the 2024 season. Guessing where he projects for 2026 is an extremely difficult task. 

Simultaneously, a couple of factors are worth pointing out that concern me about laying this much juice.

First, the schedule – on paper – is not very difficult. By 2026 win totals, Cleveland plays the league’s fourth-easiest schedule to Detroit, New Orleans and Cincinnati. 

It’s especially easy for the defense. Last year, Cleveland played a set of offenses that averaged a +0.4% DVOA rating. Only 12 teams played harder offensive schedules. 

Next year, Cleveland projects to face the league’s fifth-easiest set of offenses (-3.7%). Even on a two-year blended average, it’s still the league’s eighth-easiest set of offenses (-1.8%). 

If the defense performs well against that set of opponents, Cleveland could see some positive regression. Last year, the Browns finished 3-6 in one-possession games. 

Better luck – along with improved health for a consistently unhealthy team – could lead to seven wins. However, uncertainty about the offense makes this a pass for me.

Most Wins in Browns History

The Browns’ franchise record for most regular season wins is 12. Cleveland posted a 12-4 record in 1986 but lost in the AFC Championship Game.

They’re one of 12 NFL teams that have never won a Super Bowl.

Fewest Wins in Browns History

The Browns’ franchise record for the fewest regular-season wins is zero. Cleveland went 0-16 in the 2017 campaign.