Week One: Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
by Eugmc
The Cleveland Browns have been made a home underdog by Las Vegas sportsbooks. Most establishments have the Browns a 4 point underdog while some have the line at 4.5 points in Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys which starts at 4:15 pm.
Oddsmakers expect to see a high scoring affair. The over/under of points scored has been set at 49 which is the highest total in week one of the NFL. The Browns high potent offense which features Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, and Jamal Lewis. The Cowboys, who will face the Browns suspect defensive secondary, will look to exploit what could be Cleveland's Achilles heal with superstar receiver Terrell Owens and Tony Romo which could cause a nightmare for Browns fans if Romeo Crenell and Company cannot find a scheme to contain the pair that hooked up for 15 touchdowns in 2007.
The Cowboys are coming off a finished 13-3 a season ago but lost to Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFL Plaoffs. The 2008 squad has let go longtime Cowboys Julius Jones and Terry Glenn and has added Adam "Pacman" Jones and Zach Thomas for their biggest moves off the field this season. Wade Phillip's team went an even 2-2 in the year's preseason and many think that this team has the right ingredients to compete for this seasons Super Bowl.
The Browns had a high degree of optimism going into this season but has been dulled because of injuries that hit a number of players while gearing up for the 2008 campaign. GM Phil Savage was busy during the offseason picking up WR Donte Stalworth, DL Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, and Defensive back Terry Cousin this year which many thought would be the missing pieces to get the Browns into the playoffs after just missing after a 10-6 campaign last season. The Browns, however, haven't looked sharp in the preseason failing to win a game. While preseason losses don't really matter the fact that Derek Anderson, their starting quarterback suffered a concussion added to the worries while fellow teammates WR Joe Jurevicius (out six weeks to start the season, essential pass rushing threat LB Antwan Peek (expected to be ready for week one after missing entire preseason), kick returning dynamo Josh Cribbs, and starting free safety Brodney Pool all suffered injuries before even kicking off for real in 2008.
The Browns have a 7 game winning streak at home falling only one time last season. The Cowboys will be met by a hungry crowd that will be adventagous to the home team.
Prediction: The game will be hard fought and come down to the final minutes. Take the Browns and 4 points. Final Score Cowboys 24-Browns 21.
The Cleveland Browns have been made a home underdog by Las Vegas sportsbooks. Most establishments have the Browns a 4 point underdog while some have the line at 4.5 points in Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys which starts at 4:15 pm.
Oddsmakers expect to see a high scoring affair. The over/under of points scored has been set at 49 which is the highest total in week one of the NFL. The Browns high potent offense which features Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, and Jamal Lewis. The Cowboys, who will face the Browns suspect defensive secondary, will look to exploit what could be Cleveland's Achilles heal with superstar receiver Terrell Owens and Tony Romo which could cause a nightmare for Browns fans if Romeo Crenell and Company cannot find a scheme to contain the pair that hooked up for 15 touchdowns in 2007.
The Cowboys are coming off a finished 13-3 a season ago but lost to Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the NFL Plaoffs. The 2008 squad has let go longtime Cowboys Julius Jones and Terry Glenn and has added Adam "Pacman" Jones and Zach Thomas for their biggest moves off the field this season. Wade Phillip's team went an even 2-2 in the year's preseason and many think that this team has the right ingredients to compete for this seasons Super Bowl.
The Browns had a high degree of optimism going into this season but has been dulled because of injuries that hit a number of players while gearing up for the 2008 campaign. GM Phil Savage was busy during the offseason picking up WR Donte Stalworth, DL Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, and Defensive back Terry Cousin this year which many thought would be the missing pieces to get the Browns into the playoffs after just missing after a 10-6 campaign last season. The Browns, however, haven't looked sharp in the preseason failing to win a game. While preseason losses don't really matter the fact that Derek Anderson, their starting quarterback suffered a concussion added to the worries while fellow teammates WR Joe Jurevicius (out six weeks to start the season, essential pass rushing threat LB Antwan Peek (expected to be ready for week one after missing entire preseason), kick returning dynamo Josh Cribbs, and starting free safety Brodney Pool all suffered injuries before even kicking off for real in 2008.
The Browns have a 7 game winning streak at home falling only one time last season. The Cowboys will be met by a hungry crowd that will be adventagous to the home team.
Prediction: The game will be hard fought and come down to the final minutes. Take the Browns and 4 points. Final Score Cowboys 24-Browns 21.
posted by The Gryphon at 3:55 PM
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