Cleveland put in a good effort against the Rams on Monday night and stayed in the game the whole way. They were a beat up team going in and they picked up more injuries during Monday night's game. I don't think this team has much left in the tank.
Denver woke up at the start of the second half against Kansas City. They know they can't afford any losses if they want a playoff spot. They catch Cleveland in a very tough spot for the Browns and I like the Broncos quite a bit here at home.
Denver woke up at the start of the second half against Kansas City. They know they can't afford any losses if they want a playoff spot. They catch Cleveland in a very tough spot for the Browns and I like the Broncos quite a bit here at home.
Soccerbob,
I agree. The Brownies have no hope. They just lost their "Super Bowl" on MNF to the Rams. Now they go to Denver to play a superior team on the road. It's going to be awful easy to "pack it in" when they are down in the second half (and they will be) in the thin air of Colorado. I smell Blowout!
I agree. The Brownies have no hope. They just lost their "Super Bowl" on MNF to the Rams. Now they go to Denver to play a superior team on the road. It's going to be awful easy to "pack it in" when they are down in the second half (and they will be) in the thin air of Colorado. I smell Blowout!
and as a longtime diehard broncos' fan - i'll take the opposite approach.
this game is a PERFECT sandwich game - coming off the KC game last week and next week's espn game @ indy - i will be on the browns here (in contests only - for i am not betting this game with real money - for i don't feel strong about it - just lean to the brownies).
this game is a PERFECT sandwich game - coming off the KC game last week and next week's espn game @ indy - i will be on the browns here (in contests only - for i am not betting this game with real money - for i don't feel strong about it - just lean to the brownies).
Banged-up Browns get help from the waiver wire
Dec. 10, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports
BEREA, Ohio -- The banged-up Cleveland Browns added five players to the active roster Wednesday after losing four starters this week to season-ending injuries.
Among the additions is kicker Brett Conway, who was released three weeks ago by the New York Giants.
The four starters -- defensive end Courtney Brown (biceps), running back James Jackson (knee), kicker Phil Dawson (arm) and guard Chad Beasley (ankle) -- were placed on injured reserve. Each was hurt during Monday night's loss to St. Louis. The Browns have lost 12 players for the season with injuries.
The club also signed defensive lineman Felipe Claybrooks and defensive back Ron Israel from the practice squad, as well as free-agent running backs Nick Maddox and fullback Josh Mallard.
Derrick Frost and defensive end Corey Jackson were added to the practice squad.
wil.
Dec. 10, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports
BEREA, Ohio -- The banged-up Cleveland Browns added five players to the active roster Wednesday after losing four starters this week to season-ending injuries.
Among the additions is kicker Brett Conway, who was released three weeks ago by the New York Giants.
The four starters -- defensive end Courtney Brown (biceps), running back James Jackson (knee), kicker Phil Dawson (arm) and guard Chad Beasley (ankle) -- were placed on injured reserve. Each was hurt during Monday night's loss to St. Louis. The Browns have lost 12 players for the season with injuries.
The club also signed defensive lineman Felipe Claybrooks and defensive back Ron Israel from the practice squad, as well as free-agent running backs Nick Maddox and fullback Josh Mallard.
Derrick Frost and defensive end Corey Jackson were added to the practice squad.
wil.
And why will this game be any different than the previous two times this year Denver has played a nobody coming off a big home win? They barely got by Detroit 20-16 -11.5 after clobbering Oakland 31-10. They followed up their 37-8 route of San Diego by losing SU to the Bears, 10-19 -10.5. Probably the best situation I have is on Cleveland this weekend. I can't play Cleveland for the reasons mentioned in this thread but playing Denver is a huge risk here. If Denver is such an obvious side and this game is such a route, why isn't this line closer to -14 or -17? Things are just never that easy in the NFL. GL
SixthSense - Good points. Hopefully though, Denver has learned from the past. Against the Bears the Broncos ran for 200 yards and held Chicago to 217 total yards. I didn't see the game but it looks Denver dominated the game but couldn't put the ball in the end zone. The Lions game was back in September and I think Denver is much better now than in September.
GL,
KMAN
GL,
KMAN
Denver, under Shanahan, since week eight of any season and not undefeated, is 0-10-1 (0-1 this year), playing as a home favorite, after winning and covering their previous game. So, it appears to be a trend under the guidance of Shanahan, late in the season, to just go through the motions and get the win after a good game (they've actually lost 6 of those 11 games SU). Now, that sample is pretty small and I would never base a bet on that, but it appears he has a hard time getting his team prepared in such circumstances. Cleveland could and probably will self-destruct.
In the Bears game, Denver held a 365-217 yardage advantage and 6.2 yards per play to just 3.2 yards per play for Chicago. I expect Cleveland to probably be just as inept on offense. If you take out two Clinton Portis runs of 49 and 59 yards, all of a sudden, their average yards per play is only 4.5 yppl. Denver had some bad luck and Chicago had some good luck in that game as well.
I'm just saying in the world of contrarian football, and the NFL is just that, Cleveland is in a good spot this week. Can't play it myself but sometimes the best moves one can make is not playing a game.
In the Bears game, Denver held a 365-217 yardage advantage and 6.2 yards per play to just 3.2 yards per play for Chicago. I expect Cleveland to probably be just as inept on offense. If you take out two Clinton Portis runs of 49 and 59 yards, all of a sudden, their average yards per play is only 4.5 yppl. Denver had some bad luck and Chicago had some good luck in that game as well.
I'm just saying in the world of contrarian football, and the NFL is just that, Cleveland is in a good spot this week. Can't play it myself but sometimes the best moves one can make is not playing a game.
This is Denver's last home game followed by games at Indy and GB. They cannot afford to lose this game. Portis should run wild as he's playing against former college HC Davis who passed him up in the draft for dazed and confused Willy Green. Clev down to 3rd string RB and QB of the day Couch starts. Clev also 0-7 vs teams >.500. Cannot pick Cle. no matter what the spread.
I believe trends are very over rated and can't be trusted. Trends are the past, there is no way anyone can predict the future.
I believe the Broncos will come to play again this week, they have no choice but to win. If they win out, they goto the playoffs, they can't afford to look past anyone right now.
I read that the Broncos are very aware of their mental lapses in the past and have already talked about it in the press.
I'm sure the Broncos are aware of the fight the Browns gave the Rams on Monday Night.
I see many people on the Browns. I know this has the earmarks for a let down, but remember, this is just like playoff football for the Broncos.
Last home game in Denver this year.
Let's go Denver!
I believe the Broncos will come to play again this week, they have no choice but to win. If they win out, they goto the playoffs, they can't afford to look past anyone right now.
I read that the Broncos are very aware of their mental lapses in the past and have already talked about it in the press.
I'm sure the Broncos are aware of the fight the Browns gave the Rams on Monday Night.
I see many people on the Browns. I know this has the earmarks for a let down, but remember, this is just like playoff football for the Broncos.
Last home game in Denver this year.
Let's go Denver!
Yeah, you know, you win some of those and you lose some of those. I think team trends are very overrated, most of the time, but league wide situations ARE NOT overrated. When something has held true for over 20 years, it's not just a coincidence. Teams simply can't get "up" for every game. And, teams like Cleveland, have players playing for jobs, etc. Unless they hate their coach and want to lay down, and even then they really can't because they are still playing for jobs. Denver comes into this game thinking they are all world, after last week's game and the fact Cleveland can't win, etc. All of a sudden, after a quarter, they are in a dog fight. At this point, Cleveland isn't going to lay down. And, even if Denver is up by 17 points, all it takes is a backdoor cover that is meaningless to everyone, except for those bettors out there. Laying dd in the NFL is a very risking proposition.
