Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1 pm EST, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Bengals -3.5
Current Line: Bengals -3
Opening Total: 38.5
Current Total: 37.5
Money Line: Bengals -155 / Browns +135
The Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) will look to extend their winning streak against AFC North opponents to nine games when they visit the winless Cleveland Browns (0-3) on Sunday. The Bengals started the streak with a 14-0 win at Cleveland two seasons ago and went a perfect 6-0 against divisional foes last year en route to the AFC North title. But the Browns are also hoping to break through for their first win of the season after close calls in each of their first three games. We feel we have the right side on this game and have released NFL picks for this contest.
Cleveland performed admirably in a 24-17 loss at Baltimore last week following setbacks to Kansas City and Tampa Bay in the first two games by a combined five points. The Browns got a career-high 144 rushing yards from fullback-turned-halfback Peyton Hillis, who also caught seven passes while filling in for injured starter Jerome Harrison against the Ravens. Harrison is battling a thigh injury and is expected to return even though Hillis may still get most of the carries.
Another player who may come back for Cleveland is quarterback Jake Delhomme, who has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle. Delhomme practiced on Thursday and should be ready to go after backup Seneca Wallace was ineffective in his two starts under center. Wallace was 34 of 55 for 370 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while Delhomme was out. The Browns have dropped nine of their last 10 games against divisional opponents and could use as much help as they can in an effort to knock off Cincinnati.
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has won eight of his nine career meetings with Cleveland but has struggled in the last two games overall despite leading his team to victory. Palmer could not get the offense into the end zone in a 15-10 win over Baltimore two weeks ago and then threw for just 195 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 20-7 victory at Carolina last week. Running back Cedric Benson helped balance out the offense against the Panthers with 81 rushing yards on 27 carries and scored a touchdown on the ground and through the air.
Cincy has seen its last two games go UNDER the total due to outstanding defense and could very well play another low-scoring game here against Cleveland. The UNDER is 4-1 in the last five meetings and 7-3 in the last 10 with the Bengals winning each of the last three games between the teams. However, the Browns are 3-1 against the spread in the last four meetings.
Sunday our 20 unit NFL game of the year goes. Maddux Sports is currently on a 70% NFL picks run and will continue the winning in week 4 action. Get these winners on our NFL football picks page.
