Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - We live in a society that loves to blame.
Rather than looking inward for the cause of our problems, many of us find it expedient to heap all of the responsibilities on a particular political party, or a particular race of people, or a particular religious creed to which some might subscribe.
What do we do to change the things in life that we find detestable? Pretty much nothing. We go see the new Transformers movie and wait for someone else to fix it. Oh, and we complain to those who we're sure will reinforce our own viewpoint. That always helps.
Well, since no one is allowing them to vote for the people who work for their team, fans of the Cleveland Browns can't really do anything but blame. And though the reviews were awful, there's no way the Transformers movie was less entertaining that what they've witnessed over the past decade or so.
The old villains in this play are: Art Modell, who moved the old Browns to Baltimore when the city of Cleveland wouldn't give him a new stadium, despite new facilities for the Indians and Cavs; then-mayor Michael White, who didn't take Modell's threats to leave the city seriously; and the NFL, who gave the city the "new Browns" but didn't give them nearly enough time to build the infrastructure they needed to put a competitive product on the field.
In many ways, the horrible Browns team you've watched (or not watched, if you're lucky) go 0-3 over the season's first three weeks is a by-product of the miserable situation the organization was put in at the end of the 90's, though certainly a rash of questionable coaching hires (Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel), bad GM appointments (Dwight Clark, Carmen Policy, Phil Savage), and worse draft picks (Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, William Green) in subsequent years have helped move the ball along to its current deflated state.
The shame of it all is that Browns fans, some of the most passionate and loyal football fans you'll find anywhere, don't deserve any of what has happened to them. Through all the missteps off the field, and all the losses on it, you'll find a healthy amount of Cleveland fans who still have hope, and who will continue to show up. This isn't Jacksonville...these people understand pro football and they care.
But like a battered spouse who has finally come to the realization that enough is enough, the Cleveland faithful could be forgiven if they stay away in droves from their home stadium for the rest of the season.
The '09 Browns are an uncompetitive 0-3, ranking last in the league in both touchdowns scored (2) and points allowed (95) and looking every bit as bad as those '99 expansion Browns did. The head coach, Eric Mangini, is already reviled by local fans for not only the early losing, but also his shoddy treatment of players and his Belichick-like propensity for saying nothing of interest. You'll remember that Cleveland already had the real Belichick, the one who it turns out could coach after all, and they hated him too.
Mangini might be able to turn this thing around at some point, but it's hard to foresee when or how that might happen. If his players aren't buying in, and all indications are that they're not, the losses are going to continue to pile up. Noting that the team plays half of its home schedule in the month of December, when Cleveland will undoubtedly be playing out the string, are Browns fans really going to be bothered to show up? Would anyone in the world blame them if they didn't?
In the end, staying home might be the only tangible way to present their displeasure.
Browns owner Randy Lerner is a patient sort, and will do his best to support Mangini publicly, but can a pragmatic businessman really support his coach when Youngstown State is out-drawing the Browns in attendance?
Sooner rather than later, it looks like the Browns are going to have to start over again, if only in an effort to mobilize a fan base that could only be mobilized into forming an angry mob at the moment.
And for this, Lerner has no one but himself to blame.
Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:
NFL POWER POLL
The My Sportsbook's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/misc/nfl- poll.htm
FANTASY FOCUS
Find Fantasy Editor Steve Schwarz's latest analysis at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= fantasy/index.aspx
SUICIDE POOL PIX
1. San Francisco (vs. St. Louis) - California native Kyle Boller should play with some edge in what could be his first Rams start, but hasn't won on the road since W's first term.
2. Chicago (vs. Detroit) - Matthew Stafford isn't quite ready to win on the road, and the Bears won't miss an opportunity to get to 3-1.
3. N.Y. Giants (at Kansas City) - Remember when the Chiefs had a homefield advantage at Arrowhead?
THE GAMES
Every year I like to offer gamblers a cautionary tale about what can happen when you wager money on NFL games. Although I went a non-eyebrow-raising 9-7 in my picks last week, I went 4-12 against the spread, including 0-7 in the games that started at 4pm in the east or after. So buyer beware...and sorry. I am now 29-19 (.604) in my selections but dropped all the way to 23-25 (.479) when walking the line.
Detroit (1-2) at Chicago (2-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Chicago -10)
Storylines: Lions, who snapped a 19-game losing streak with last week's 19-14 win over the Redskins, seeking their first road victory since winning at Chicago on Oct. 28, 2007...Detroit has lost 13 in a row away from the Motor City, and last won two straight games in Weeks 7-8 of 2007...Lions running back Kevin Smith (shoulder), who rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries against Washington last week, considered questionable after exiting the game against the Redskins...Maurice Morris would likely start if Smith is unavailable... Bears tight end Desmond Clark (rib), linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (rib) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) are all questionable for Sunday, and the team re-signed LB Darrell McClover earlier this week...Lions linebacker Ernie Sims (shoulder) considered questionable to return to the lineup after missing last week's win...Detroit has allowed an NFL-high 10 touchdown passes...Lions are an NFL- best 4-of-4 on fourth-down conversions.
Fast Fact: In his only start against a Jim Schwartz-coached defense (Nov. 19, 2007), current Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was 16-of-21 for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 34-20 Broncos win over the Titans.
Prediction: Still not a lot of greatness going on for the Bears defensively, but Cutler has them moving the ball and scoring points. Bears 24, Lions 15.
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Cincinnati (2-1) at Cleveland (0-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Cincinnati -5.5)
Storylines: Cleveland, which is trying to avoid its first 0-4 start since opening the 1999 season with seven straight losses, still seeking first win of Eric Mangini era...Derek Anderson will make his first start of the year despite throwing three interceptions in relief of Brady Quinn in last week's 34-3 loss to the Ravens...Cleveland running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) remains questionable after missing last week's loss, and Jerome Harrison would likely start again if Lewis can't go...Browns are last in the league in total offense (218 yards per game), touchdowns scored (2), and scoring defense (31.7 points per game)...Bengals pass rusher Antwan Odom leads the NFL in sacks (7), and Cincinnati is tied for the NFL lead in that category (10)...Cincinnati first-round draft choice and tackle Andre Smith (foot) remains out...Browns kicker Phil Dawson (calf) could miss his second straight game, and journeyman Billy Cundiff would kick again if Dawson can't go.
Fast Fact: In his last start against an Eric Mangini-coached team (Oct. 21, 2007), Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was 14-of-21 for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 38-31 Bengals win over the Jets.
Prediction: Even with last week's win, it's difficult to trust the Bengals, and Cleveland needs a decent performance in front of the home fans. Browns 14, Bengals 13.
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Oakland (1-2) at Houston (1-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Houston -9)
Storylines: Texans seeking first home win of 2009 season...Oakland expected to stick with JaMarcus Russell at quarterback despite a 39.7 passer rating and 41.3 completion percentage over the season's first three games...Raiders are last in NFL passing offense (119.7 yards per game) and completion percentage (42.9)...Texans are last in the league in total defense (436.3 yards per game), rushing defense (204.7 yards per game), yards allowed per rush (6.3), rushes allowed of 20 yards or longer (7) and sacks recorded (2)...Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson has averaged 121 receiving yards per game over his past 10 home contests dating back to last season...Oakland starting guard Robert Gallery (broken fibula) remains out...Raiders re-signed kick returner Justin Miller earlier this week...Raiders safety and University of Texas product Michael Huff is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (3) along with Charles Woodson of the Packers and Darren Sharper of the Saints.
Fast Fact: The Raiders are 0-4 in Houston since last winning there, against the Oilers, in 1986.
Prediction: Texans will win, but if Raiders can't generate enough offense to keep it close against a horrid Houston defense, there really is no hope for Russell. Texans 18, Raiders 15.
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Seattle (1-2) at Indianapolis (3-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Indianapolis -9)
Storylines: Colts seeking to start 4-0 for the fourth time in the past five seasons...Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (rib) could miss his 11th start in the past two years, and second straight, after being injured in a Week 2 loss to the 49ers...Seneca Wallace would start if Hasselbeck is unavailable... Seahawks running back Edgerrin James faces the Colts, for whom he played from 1999 through 2005, for the first time...Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (quadriceps) is out, and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez and safety Bob Sanders expected to remain out with knee injuries...Indy linebacker Gary Brackett (knee) and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) both questionable...Seattle left tackle Walter Jones (knee) questionable to make his 2009 debut, and linebacker Lofa Tatupu (hamstring) also in question after missing last week's loss to the Bears...Indianapolis is No. 1 in the league in passing offense (322.7 yards per game)...Colts wideout Reggie Wayne leads the NFL in receiving yards (325).
Fast Fact: In his most recent appearance in Indianapolis (Jan. 15, 2006), current Seahawk and then-Colt Edgerrin James rushed 13 times for 56 yards and a touchdown in a 21-18 playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Prediction: Seahawks don't play well at 1pm in the east under ideal circumstances, and they're really banged up at the moment. Colts 27, Seahawks 13.
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Tennessee (0-3) at Jacksonville (1-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Tennessee -3)
Storylines: Titans trying to avoid their first 0-4 start since 2006, when they dropped their first five before rebounding for an 8-8 finish...Jaguars are 2-7 at home over the past two seasons, and have lost six of their last seven at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium...Tennessee swept a home-and-home against Jacksonville last season, winning at home (17-10) in Week 1 and at the Jaguars (24-14) in Week 11...Tennessee leads the league in fewest yards allowed per carry (2.2)...Wide receiver Torry Holt still seeking his first touchdown as a Jaguar...Titans are an NFL-worst 0-for-3 on fourth-down conversions...Titans released running back Chris Henry and re-signed kick returner Mark Jones on Tuesday...Jaguars signed pass rusher Bryan Smith (ex-Eagles) and defensive tackle Kenny Peterson (ex-Buccaneers) earlier this week...Tennessee will be without safety Vincent Fuller (broken forearm) indefinitely, and cornerback Cortland Finnegan (hamstring) is questionable.
Fast Fact: Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (119 rushing yards last week) has never posted back-to-back 100-yard games during his four-year NFL career.
Prediction: Jaguars got their win last week, now watch as they get pushed around by a desperate, physical Titans team in front of about 8,000 fans in Jacksonville. Titans 31, Jaguars 13.
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N.Y. Giants (3-0) at Kansas City (0-3), Sunday, 1:00 (N.Y. Giants -8.5)
Storylines: Kansas City seeking first win of Todd Haley/Matt Cassel era... Giants, who held the Buccaneers to just 86 total yards in a 24-0 road shutout last week, seeking second consecutive 4-0 start...Giants are 8-0 when facing back-to-back road games in four such occasions since 2007...Chiefs are 2-26 in their last 28 games dating back to 2007, and are trying to avoid their first 0-4 start since 1980...Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe (hamstring) is questionable after missing last week's 34-14 loss to the Eagles...Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (shoulder) and offensive linemen Kareem McKenzie (knee) and Rich Seubert (shoulder) all expected to play...Chiefs are last in the league (19.4 percent) in third-down conversion percentage...Giants have allowed a league- low-tying one sack through three weeks...Kansas City signed tight end Leonard Pope, linebacker David Herron, and cornerback Mike Richardson and also cut linebacker Monty Beisel and cornerback Ricardo Colclough earlier this week.
Fast Fact: The Giants (24-0 winners over the Buccaneers last week) last posted back-to-back shutouts during the 1951 season, when they defeated the Chicago Cardinals (10-0) and Pittsburgh Steelers (14-0) on consecutive weeks.
Prediction: No real reason to expect the Chiefs to trouble the scoreboard enough to hang with the Giants. Giants 28, Chiefs 10.
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Baltimore (3-0) at New England (2-1), Sunday, 1:00 (New England -2)
Storylines: Ravens, who have never defeated the Patriots in four all-time meetings with them, looking for their first 4-0 start since 2006, when they finished 13-3...Baltimore leads the league in rushing touchdowns (7), and Ravens running back Willis McGahee leads the NFL in total touchdowns (6), rushing touchdowns (5), and scoring (36 points)...Patriots wideout Wes Welker (knee) questionable after missing the last two games...Baltimore has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 38 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the league...Patriots wideout Randy Moss leads the league in receptions (26)...Ravens are No. 1 in NFL rushing defense (51 yards per game)...Pats, who could be without both linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (ankle) on Sunday, signed nose tackle Terdell Sands (ex-Raiders) on Monday...New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski leads the league in made field goals (9)...Patriots have allowed a league-low-tying one sack.
Fast Fact: The Ravens have been outscored by a composite of 44-6 in their two all-time trips to New England (1999, 2004).
Prediction: Patriots were impressive last week, and Ravens haven't been tested much, but Baltimore is simply a more complete team at this stage of the year, Ravens 20, Patriots 17.
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Tampa Bay (0-3) at Washington (1-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Washington -7)
Storylines: Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Johnson will make his first NFL start after Byron Leftwich was benched following last week's 24-0 loss to the Giants...Buccaneers still seeking first win of Raheem Morris era, and trying to avoid their first 0-4 start since 2006, when they finished 4-12...Tampa Bay has lost seven straight games dating back to last season, its longest streak since 1995-96, and is trying to avoid its first eight-game skid since dropping nine in a row in 1987-88...Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (strained glut) could play despite being carted off in last week's 19-14 loss to the Lions, and running back Clinton Portis (calf) is expected to play... Redskins have allowed an NFL-worst 51.2 percent of third-down conversions... Buccaneers are the only team in the league without a made field goal through three weeks...Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson, who violated the NFL substance abuse policy, will serve the fourth and final game of his suspension
Fast Fact: Redskins head coach Jim Zorn made one start as a replacement player for the Buccaneers in 1987, beating the Vikings, 20-10, in his final appearance in an NFL uniform.
Prediction: Redskins have a great shot at reversing the mojo of their season against an awful Bucs team rolling out an inexperienced quarterback. Redskins 23, Buccaneers 7.
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Buffalo (1-2) at Miami (0-3), Sunday, 4:05 (Buffalo -2)
Storylines: Miami quarterback Chad Henne will make his first NFL start after Chad Pennington (shoulder) was lost for the season in last week's 23-13 loss to the Chargers...Dolphins trying to avoid second 0-4 start in the past three seasons...Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens did not have a reception in last week's loss to the Saints, the first time since his rookie season of 1996 that had occurred...Miami acquired backup QB Tyler Thigpen in a trade with the Chiefs on Tuesday...Dolphins lead the NFL in third-down conversion percentage (54.5)...Bills lead the league in interception returns for touchdowns (2), but are expected to be without both cornerback Leodis McKelvin (broken leg) and safety Donte Whitner (thumb) on Sunday...Miami is last in the NFL in takeaways (1)...Bills running back Marshawn Lynch, who served a three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, eligible to return this week...Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter (hamstring) considered questionable for Sunday.
Fast Fact: Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was held to 92 rushing yards on 26 combined carries (3.5 per rush) in two meetings with the Dolphins last season.
Prediction: Desperate Dolphins have enough defense to keep the pressure off of Henne in this one. Dolphins 17, Bills 15.
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N.Y. Jets (3-0) at New Orleans (3-0), Sunday, 4:05 (New Orleans -7)
Storylines: Jets last opened 4-0 in 2004, when they won their first five before finishing 10-6...Saints seeking first 4-0 start since 1993, when they won their first five before finishing 8-8 and missing the playoffs....Saints lead the NFL in total offense (438 yards per game), scoring offense (40 points per game), touchdowns scored (15), and quarterback Drew Brees is No. 1 in the league in touchdown passes (9) and passer rating (118.1)...New Orleans wideout Marques Colston leads the league in touchdown catches (3)...Running back Mike Bell (knee) and wide receiver Lance Moore (hamstring) questionable to return to the lineup for New Orleans...Saints are tied for the league lead in takeaways (9) and interceptions (7)...Jets have stopped an NFL-best 0-for-4 fourth-down conversions...Jets linebacker Calvin Pace, who violated the NFL steroid policy, will serve the fourth and final game of his suspension...Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday...Saints placed left tackle Jammal Brown (sports hernia, hip) on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday, and signed offensive lineman Nick Leckey..
Fast Fact: The Jets are 3-1 all-time in New Orleans, with their only loss there coming in 1989.
Prediction: Jets aren't going to be blown off the field by anyone at this point, but the Saints will force Mark Sanchez into some mistakes. Saints 26, Jets 23.
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Dallas (2-1) at Denver (3-0), Sunday, 4:15 (Dallas -3)
Storylines: Denver seeking first 4-0 start since 2003...Cowboys, who lead the league in rushing offense (193.7 yards per game)m yards per carry (6.8), and rushes of 20 yards or longer (7), could be without running backs Felix Jones (knee) and Marion Barber (quadriceps) on Sunday...Dallas head coach Wade Phillips, who served as head coach in Denver in 1993-94, faces the Broncos for the first time as a head man...Denver is one of two NFL teams that has yet to throw an interception (Green Bay)...Cowboys have rushed for 200+ yards in consecutive games for the first time since 1979...Broncos lead the NFL in total defense (214.7 yards per game), scoring defense (5.3 points per game), touchdowns allowed (1), are the only team in the league that has yet to allow a touchdown pass, and are tied for the league lead in sacks (10)...Denver running back Knowshon Moreno leads NFL rookies in rushing yards (184)... Broncos pass rusher Elvis Dumervil has six sacks in his past two outings...
Fast Fact: The Cowboys are 0-3 against the Broncos since beating them at home in 1995, and last won in Denver during the 1992 season.
Prediction: A short week, on the road, and possibly without their top two running backs? I'll take surprising Denver against those circumstances for the Cowboys. Broncos 16, Cowboys 15.
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St. Louis (0-3) at San Francisco (2-1), Sunday, 4:15 (San Francisco -9.5)
Storylines: Quarterback Kyle Boller could make his first start with the Rams after Marc Bulger (bruised rotator cuff) exited last week's 36-17 loss to the Packers in the first half...Niners enter Week 4 with a one-game lead over the Seahawks and idle Cardinals for first-place in the NFC West...Rams still seeking the first win of the Steve Spagnuolo era...Rams have lost 13 straight dating back to last season, and are 5-30 in their last 35 games dating back to 2007...Rams are scoring an NFL-worst 8.0 points per game...San Francisco running back Frank Gore (foot sprain) not expected to play on Sunday, and safety Reggie Smith (groin) is also out...San Francisco right tackle Joe Staley (quadriceps) considered questionable...St. Louis placed wide receiver Laurent Robinson (leg, ankle) on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week, and linebacker David Vobora was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's policy on banned substances...49ers still at a contract impasse with first-round receiver Michael Crabtree.
Fast Fact: Rams quarterback Kyle Boller has not won a road game in which he threw a pass since the then-Raven helped beat the Jets on Nov. 14, 2004, losing in 13 straight road appearances since that win.
Prediction: Niners look like they've developed the maturity to play well in games they should win easily. 49ers 28, Rams 9.
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San Diego (2-1) at Pittsburgh (1-2), Sunday, 8:20 (Pittsburgh -6.5)
Storylines: Steelers trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak since Weeks 7-9 of the 2006 season...Rematch of a 2008 playoff game, won by the Steelers, 35-24, at Heinz Field...Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers leads the NFL in passing yards (991)...Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (knee) will miss his third straight game...Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (knee) is questionable after missing the last two weeks, and the status of linebacker Shawne Merriman (groin), defensive tackle Travis Johnson (groin) and guard Louis Vasquez (knee) is in doubt as well...Center Nick Hardwick (ankle) remains out for Chargers...San Diego is last in the league in yards per carry (2.76)...Pittsburgh is first in the league in completion percentage (71.6)...Steelers have allowed an NFL-worst 3-of-3 fourth-down conversions... Pittsburgh placed fullback Frank Summers (back) on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week, and re-signed FB Carey Davis.
Fast Fact: The Chargers are 0-13 in regular season games played in Pittsburgh all-time, and San Diego head coach Norv Turner is 0-4 versus the Steelers in his career.
Prediction: Tough assignment for Rivers, who has to face an angry Steelers team without his full supporting cast. Steelers 20, Chargers 12.
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Green Bay (2-1) at Minnesota (3-0), Monday, 8:30 (Minnesota -3)
Storylines: Brett Favre faces the Packers, for whom he starred from 1992 through 2007, for the first time...Favre can become the first quarterback in NFL history to beat all 32 teams...Minnesota seeking its first 4-0 start since 2003, when the team won its first six before finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs...Vikings running back Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing yards (357)...Packers are last in the league in sacks allowed (12), but have committed an NFL-low one turnover and are one of two teams that has yet to throw an interception (Denver)...Minnesota's Percy Harvin scored the league's first touchdown off the year off a kickoff return in last week's win over the 49ers...Packers are No. 1 in NFL turnover margin (+8),and are tied for the league lead in takeaways (9) and interceptions (7)...Vikings have allowed an NFL-low 22.2 percent of third-down conversions...Green Bay tackle Chad Clifton (ankle) questionable to return to the lineup after missing last week's win over the Rams.
Fast Fact: The Packers' Mike McCarthy has a 5-1 edge in his personal series against both the Vikings and head coach Brad Childress.
Prediction: Favre will get all the attention, but this game will be won by the Vikings' front four against the Packers' atrocious o-line. Vikings 24, Packers 16.
