Browns look doomed vs. Bengals
The schedule maker couldn’t have been less kind to the Browns.
Cleveland hasn’t had much go right recently, losers of five of the past six, with banged- up quarterback Josh McCown out — Johnny Manziel will start — and two key defensive backs, Joe Haden and Donte Whitner, having been concussed. The Browns might be short- handed at wide receiver, too.
And now, Thursday, they head into the Jungle to face the unbeaten Bengals.
“I would definitely say it’s a little tough,” said Browns DB Tashaun Gipson. “It’s a little different. You would ideally like to be coming off of a victory going into a short week, but that’s what we get paid for: to be professionals. You just have to put each game behind you win, lose or draw. Each opponent is different and each outcome could potentially be different.”
Potentially. But hardly likely as Cincinnati takes aim not only on an AFC North crown, but the top record in the conference.
Cincinnati is an 11- point favourite and they will cruise. Bengals, 31- 16.
IN OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK:
Green Bay ( plus 2 1/ 2) at Carolina: Going for double dose here, expecting Packers to bounce back in style after Denver debacle. Best bet and upset special: Packers, 23- 20. Washington ( plus 14) at New England: Some division leaders might yawn their way through such a matchup. Patriots will romp. Patriots, 37- 17. Denver ( minus 4 1/ 2) at Indianapolis: Once everyone gets past all that Peyton returns to Indy drama, Broncos will remain unbeaten. Broncos, 26- 16.
Oakland ( plus 4 1/ 2) at Pittsburgh: Raiders win marks them as true wild- card contender. Not yet ... Steelers, 24- 23.
Philadelphia ( minus 3) at Dallas: Cowboys running out of time for elusive wins before Romo returns. Won’t get one here, either. Eagles, 21- 20.
St. Louis ( plus 2 1/ 2) at Minnesota: Two teams on rise in intriguing game that could stamp winner as contender. Rams, 20- 16.
Miami ( plus 3) at Buffalo: Do we
judge under DolphinsDan Campbellby first or by two loss wins to Patriots?19- 17. The answer ... Dolphins, New York Giants ( minus 2 1/ 2) at
Tampa Bay: Giants won’t score 49 again. They won’t need to. And they will win this time. Giants, 28- 20. Chicago ( plus 4) at San Diego, Monday night: Chargers are bruised, battered mess. So are Bears. Hardly a prime- time matchup. Chargers, 24- 21.
Atlanta ( minus 7) at San Francisco: Falcons’ offence can’t be so bad two weeks in a row. Falcons, 30- 14.
Jacksonville ( OFF) at New York Jets: Jets’ defence can’t be so bad two weeks in a row. Jets, 17- 13.
Tennessee ( OFF) at New Orleans: A Big Easy for the hot Saints with Titans in turmoil. Saints, 34- 13.
2015 record: Against spread: week 9- 3- 1, season ( 62- 49- 3). Straight up: week 9- 5, season ( 78- 41).
Best Bet: 5- 3 against spread, 6- 2 straight up.
Upset special: 4- 4 against spread, 2- 6 straight up.