Dawg Pound Daily staff picks: Week 7

There is every reason to pick against the Browns this week. The Rams can rush the passer, which is not a good sign for Josh McCown and his 17 sacks. The Rams can run the ball, also not a good sign for  Browns defense that routinely gives up more than 150 rushing yards. But the one thing you can say about the Browns under head coach Mike Pettine is that they are resilient and always good for a surprise. <strong>Browns 17, Rams 10</strong> . (9-5). Previous: N/Ath. Thomas Moore. T-1. team. 53

1. team. 51. I’m not Nostradamus but my 17-13 Broncos pick last week predicted <i>“play Manning tough, home crowd rocking until first Denver drive…can’t beat Denver</i> <i>anywhere.</i>..<i>and don’t expect 400</i> <i>yard McCown to reappear this century.”</i> Only thing that didn’t – -and still hasn’t happened: Coons missing a kick. That’ll end <span class=. (9-5). Previous: N/Ath. Roger Cohen

53. Although Cleveland’s rush defense offers a prime matchup for rookie Todd Gurley, the Browns will hopefully have pro bowlers Joe Haden and Tashaun Gipson back to hold down the passing game. St. Louis hasn’t been great offensively and Duke Johnson had a great day running last Sunday. McCown gets the job done as the Browns defeat the Rams. <strong>Browns 27, Rams 20</strong>. (9-5). Previous: N/Ath. Matt Stevenson. T-1. team

Previous: N/Ath. Giovanni Castelli. T-2. team. 53. After giving Peyton Manning multiple chances to burn them last week the Browns got burned in the end. Now, the team travels to St. Louis to face the Rams stellar front seven on defense and stud rookie running back Todd Gurley. Browns run defense ranks 32nd in the NFL giving up 149.8 ypg every reason to pick the Rams at home. So, I will defy logic and take the Browns. <strong>Browns 23, Rams 17 </strong>. (8-6)

team. 51. The Browns have a chance in this one because the Rams are an average to mediocre team under Jeff Fisher that excels in dragging teams down to their level, so can sometimes pull off upsets like Week 1 against Seattle. However, the Browns’ league-worst run D is about to get a hefty dose of Todd Gurley right in the face. The Rams are going to ride their superstar rookie workhorse to victory this week. A jittery Josh McCown can’t keep the Browns in it. <strong>Rams 24, Browns 13</strong>. (8-6). Previous: N/Ath. Murray Alexander. T-2

(7-7). Previous: N/Ath. Steven Kubitza. 3. team. 53. Ok let’s try this again. I took the Browns last week against Denver and was so close to proving the world wrong. Going with the Browns again against the 2-3 St. Louis Rams. Josh McCown will bounce back and the defense will continue to force takeaways. <strong>Browns 27, Rams 17</strong>

T-4. team. 53. Josh McCown plays better than last week, and does enough to keep the Browns in the game. Todd Gurley runs wild on the Browns defense, but the defense intercepts Nick Foles and finally pressures the quarterback to prevail. <strong>Browns 23, Rams 20</strong>. (5-9). Previous: N/Ath. Eric Szczepinski

Previous: N/Ath. Brandon Lambert. T-4. team. 51. Cleveland can’t close. They just can’t. They haven’t been able to since they came back in the league, and for that matter haven’t been able to since the mid-’60s. Do I sound like I’m a bit bitter? Probably. Am I? Definitely. Last weeks game hurt, way worse than others like it. Until the Browns show that they can actually close a game out, I can’t bring myself to pick them anymore. I am not a huge fan of Pettine (though I am a pretty big fan of Farmer) but I don’t think constant turnover is a solution. That being said, Cleveland keeps finding way to lose, Pettine (and maybe Farmer) will be looking for work in 2016. Rams over the hapless Browns. <strong>Rams 30, Browns 28</strong>. (5-9)