Bengals vs Browns Preview and Free Pick
September 11th, 2011

Bobby Babowski's Prediction: Last year wasn’t much different for the two basement dwellers in the AFC North Division, as the Browns (5-11) and the Bengals (4-12) finished almost neck and neck as two of the worst teams in the NFL. The two teams combined didn’t collectively have enough wins to make the playoffs (9 wins combined).  With that being said, it looks very apparent that these two teams are headed in VERY opposite directions as the Brownies under the mastermind Mike Holmgreen seems to be getting things turned around with rookie QB Colt McCoy coming into his own as he debuts in his first starting season with Cleveland. McCoy played admirably last year but furthermore looked terrific this preseason. The Browns are also bringing in a new 3-4 defensive scheme that should have rookie Bengal QB Andy Dalton running for his life all day in the Dawg Pound's Home Opener. Cincinnati is not only a team in shambles but the Bungles look to be a franchise that may be working their way out of the NFL altogether, as team owner Mike Brown (Paul Brown must be looking down sickened) as his son , not only figured out a way to have supposed QB Carson Palmer refusing to play, (the bengals QB for the last almost decade) but he takes on vagaboonds, and convicts, only for even them to want out, I mean how can a team lose their QB, Palmer, Ochocinco Terrell Owens, RB Cedric Benson is fresh out of jail for the opener on dual assault charges, and they have the audacity to start a rookie QB with absolutely NOBODY to protect him let alone receive? Now the last thing I'd ever do is bet on a mediocre team (Browns) who, although on the uprise, are laying almost a touchdown over a division team, even though Bengals are in disarray, but this is the one time where that line is the EXACT reason why I like the play even moreso. It's telling you that again similair to the Cardinals/Panthers line, STARTING rookie QBs are going to have the kitchen sink thrown at them, even if it happens to be almost a TD in the same division.  This has the Dawg Pound written all over it by two scores for sure. If I were Andy Dalton, I would have pulled a John Elway/Eli Manning and refused to come to this NIGHTMARE of a franchise, in fact I would have taken 50% paycut and begged to be taken by any other team than this Mike Brown disgrace of Cincy, Ohio. The battle of Ohio is going to be a laugher this opening day in Cleveland. Take the Pound -6.5.

Cleveland -6.5