I don't think this game will by any means be an easy game to win for the team in brown and orange, but, let's be serious, this is a game they not only should win, but have to win in order to save Eric Mangini's job. A lot of people, myself included, were expecting a great win last week against the team ranked dead last in the league against the run, but I think a lack of offensive game plan other than "Peyton Hillis is going to run the ball, sometimes!" prevented that from happening. Hopefully they can get it squared away against a division rival this afternoon.
Offensively, I think the Browns will get back to where they were before losing to Jacksonville with Colt McCoy back as the starting quarterback. I wrote earlier in the week that McCoy seemed to have a better handle on the mid-range passes, and I believe the Browns will get back to more of the bootleg passes that they seemed to run so well with him. Whether or not Peyton Hillis keeps his hands on the football will also be huge today, as Cincinnati has the firepower to take advantage of turnovers, whether they have a 10 game losing streak or not. Also, it would be great if Josh Cribbs is healthy enough to take a bunch of snaps from the wildcat, as the lack of that package since the Jets game has obviously hurt the offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Browns are going to have to contain Terrell Owens a lot better than they did in week four when he gashed us for 10 catches and 222 yards and a touchdown. I think the secondary has been much improved since that time with the emergence of Joe Haden, and so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Carson Palmer has thrown for 3187 yards with 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, good for a 60% completion percentage and a 78.1 QB rating. This may not sound too bad from our perspective, but it's clearly a disappointment for that team as they thought they would be getting a marquee offense with T.O. and Ochocinco, but that just hasn't happened. They have Cedric Benson at running back, who is having a very average season with 856 yards rushing and six touchdowns, and only 3.5 yards per carry. I think Rob Ryan's crew should be able to handle these guys better than they did in the win in week 4.
I've picked the Browns to win every single one of these "Start Me Up"s that I've done, but I'm going to continue the trend today, if for nothing else than because I like Eric Mangini and I'd like to see him keep his job. Still, the Bengals are a mess of a team right now, and Colt McCoy coming back should give the Browns the shot in the arm they need to look like that team who beat the Saints and Patriots.
The Prediction: CLE 20 - CIN 10
A slight blogging note, I have a final from 2-5 today (I know, who gives a final on a Sunday?!) and so I clearly won't be doing a Halftime Blurb, and nor will I do a postgamer since I won't have seen the game. Check back mid-week to find the wrap up after I've gotten back to CLE and away from all finals.
Go Browns!
~MAS
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