Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals Football Picks
Written September 26, 2008 by Brad Marchetti
Cleveland Browns starting QB Derek Anderson can feel backup Brady Quinn breathing down his neck as he starts Sunday on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals game will pit to 0-3 teams from Ohio, in a rivalry between two perennial NFL disappointments. The Bengals gave a spirited effort last week in a losing 23-26 effort to the NY Giants. Cleveland is trying to overcome key personnel injuries while sorting out the QB situation as they look for their first win. The NFL betting odds for the Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals game is Cincinnati -3.5 points.
The Browns have offensive line holes. The Browns entre offense has suffered because the line troubles with only 8.7 points per game on offense. QB Derek Anderson (43.5 passer rating) has been sacked 7 times in just 43 pass attempts. #2 Cleveland WR Donte Stallworth (4.35 40-speed) is battling a leg injury. #1 WR Braylon Edwards (4.45 40-speed) has had a case of the drops. TE Kellen Winslow (14 rec 1 TD) remains a dangerous weapon but Cleveland needs Edwards to step up his game. The Bengals have had no pass-rush this season to speak of with only 1 sack on the season. Browns 240 Lb. RB Jamal Lewis (3.5 yards per carry) has lost a step but is still powerful downhill runner that can open up the passing game. The Bengals defense has been ravaged for 4.7 yards per carry and Lewis will bust through arm tackles if the Bengals play soft. Cincinnati has a key injury in their secondary to CB Jonathan Joseph who is listed as day-to-day. Browns burner Joshua Cribbs’s kick and punt return production has fell off due to an ankle injury. The NFL betting odds for the Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals Moneyline is Cincinnati -180 .
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Elite NFL QB Carson Palmer has been off this season for the Bengals with a poor 63.8 passer rating. Palmer should have time to find his explosive personnel this week against a so-so Browns pass-rush that has only 3 sacks. Cincy WR’s Chad Ocho Cinco (4.40 40-speed) and T.J Houshmandzadeh (18 recs. 216 Yds. 1 TD) are as dangerous as they come when Palmer is in sync. The Browns are young at the secondary position and Palmer still has a howitzer arm that can torch them. Browns starting RB Chris Perry (4.55 40-speed) has struggled behind a weak O-line. Perry (2 TD’s) is a strong runner that could find some holes in Cleveland’s 3-4 defense. Perry (3 Fumbles) must avoid turning the ball over to the still dangerous Browns offense. Carson Palmer has been on his rear end most of the season and Cleveland coach Romeo Crennell will attack him with 3-4 blitzes. The NFL betting odds for the Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals OVER\UNDER is at 44.5 points.
The Browns and Bengals both have their backs against the wall. Cleveland is better than they have looked so far but that isn’t saying much. The Bengals have run into some good teams early but they have found a way to lose. This should be a better game than expected between to offensive underachievers.
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