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Rick Zamperin: Hard to believe, but the Cleveland Browns are that much closer to the Super Bowl

The Cleveland Browns have acquired receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in a trade with the New York Giants. AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek, File

Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves, because we are one step closer to hearing the phrase, “The Cleveland Browns have won the Super Bowl.”

Following Tuesday night’s stunning trade that saw the Browns acquire superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants for a first- and third-round draft pick in 2019, along with safety Jabrill Peppers, Cleveland has vaulted up the Super Bowl betting board in Las Vegas.

Oddsmakers at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook have given the Browns the third (tied) best chance at winning Super Bowl LIV (54).

Cleveland opened on Jan. 15 with 30-1 odds of hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2020 in Miami before jumping to 25-1 in February. The once loveable losers are now tied with Green Bay for the third best odds at 14-1.

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Only Kansas City and defending champion New England (6-1), and the L.A. Rams and New Orleans (8-1) have better odds to win Super Bowl 54 than the Browns.

The Giants, on the other hand, have dropped from 40-1 to 80-1 following the OBJ trade.

Only Buffalo, Miami, Washington, Cincinnati and Arizona (100-1) are bigger Super Bowl longshots than the G-Men.

Beckham hasn’t been the only All-Pro skill position player to switch teams this off-season, but his move has created the most impact with prospective bettors.

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Receiver Antonio Brown was traded from Pittsburgh (30-1) to Oakland and former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has signed with the New York Jets. Despite their additions, the Raiders and Jets are listed at only 60-1.

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We won’t find out for at least several more months whether or not the Browns are going to challenge for a title, but I think it’s safe to say that Cleveland’s days of being the doormat of the NFL have expired.

Odds to Win Super Bowl 54
All odds as of 1 a.m. ET on March 13 via the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

Kansas City Chiefs: 6-1
New England Patriots: 6-1
Los Angeles Rams: 8-1
New Orleans Saints: 8-1
Green Bay Packers: 14-1
Cleveland Browns: 14-1
Chicago Bears: 16-1
Indianapolis Colts: 16-1
Los Angeles Chargers: 16-1
Dallas Cowboys: 20-1
Minnesota Vikings: 20-1
Philadelphia Eagles: 20-1
Houston Texans: 25-1
Seattle Seahawks: 25-1
Atlanta Falcons: 30-1
Pittsburgh Steelers: 30-1
San Francisco 49ers: 30-1
Baltimore Ravens: 40-1
Jacksonville Jaguars: 40-1
Carolina Panthers: 50-1
New York Jets: 60-1
Oakland Raiders: 60-1
Denver Broncos: 80-1
Detroit Lions: 80-1
New York Giants: 80-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 80-1
Tennessee Titans: 80-1
Arizona Cardinals: 100-1
Buffalo Bills: 100-1
Cincinnati Bengals: 100-1
Miami Dolphins: 100-1
Washington Redskins: 100-1

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