Dawg Pound Daily staff picks: Week 8

32. The Cardinals are another strong running team and have an explosive passing offense. I don’t think the Cleveland Browns can contain them if they continue to make stupid mistakes. Whether it’s Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel, they have to be careful because that secondary will take their opportunities if the Browns make a mistake. <strong>Cardinals 31, Browns 14</strong>. (18-10). Previous: 4th. Murray Alexander. 1. team

2. team. 53. The Cardinals are amongst the elite teams in the NFC. Hailing from the NFC West and flying into town fresh off their Monday night win at home versus the hated Ravens. Their defense is playing at a high level along with their offense. The Browns are reeling, coming off their worst loss of the season last week at the Rams and searching for answers on both sides of the ball. I’ve picked the Browns the past two weeks and am 0-2. With that being said, all signs point to taking the Cardinals. Can’t do it. The Browns are due to win a game that no one expects. <strong>Browns 23, Cardinals 20</strong>. (17-11). Previous: T-2nd. Giovanni Castelli

Steven Kubitza. T-3. team. 32. This seems like a game the Browns could win based on how they usually beat good teams after realistic playoff chances are dashed, but the Cardinals are going to win this one. Chris Johnson will run all over the Browns defense and Johnny Manziel will be one game closer to starting. <strong>Cardinals 27, Browns 21</strong>. (16-12). Previous: T-1st

Previous: 4th. Thomas Moore. T-3. team. 32. We were sold last week on the Browns pulling it together when they traveled to St. Louis to take on the Rams. But once things went south and the Browns lost their fourth game in five tries, we started losing the faith. This week they face an Arizona team that is as good (if not better) on defense than the Rams, and certainly better on offense. Until they prove otherwise, it will be hard to pick the Browns from here on out. <strong>Cardinals 24, Browns 10</strong>. (16-12)

Previous: T-1st. Roger Cohen. T-3. team. 32. I was tempted to lean toward the Browns on Sunday in a bounceback “save the coach” effort against an Arizona team heading to Lake Erie on short rest, but then I watched the Cardinals fly all over the field Monday night. I prefer a healthy, un-suspended Johnny Manziel to a beat-up Josh McCown (and how didn’t he suffer a concussion last week against the wall and the cement floor?), and it could be a shutout with Austin Davis at the helm. With Manziel or McCown, the Browns stay in the game with some shaky Arizona special teams and maybe that Justin Gilbert or Travis Benjamin return touchdown. Oh, and this has to be the week Travis Coons misses – doesn’t it? <strong>Cardinals 21, Browns 13</strong>. (16-12)

T-3. team. 32. The Cardinals’ passing defense will swarm the Browns’ pass attack, and without a consistent running game the Browns are in trouble. Chris Johnson is looking like CJ2K once again, and Carson Palmer has done well leading the passing game for Arizona. Tough matchup for Cleveland, they suffer another loss. <strong>Cardinals 27, Browns 13</strong>. (16-12). Previous: T-1st. Matthew Stevenson

team. 32. Cleveland is a beaten franchise right now. The coach is clearly in over his head and completely lost. He’s lost the locker room, become stuck in his ways, and he’s loyal to the wrong players at this point. The offensive line needs Cameron Erving, Johnny Manziel needs to be in at quarterback, Duje Johnson needs to be the primary, every down back. Even Dwayne Bowe needs a chance to do something. Mike Pettine refuses to make those changes, which is why he’ll be out of a job. I am starting to wonder if Pettine makes it through the season. Browns lose. <strong>Cardinals 34, Browns 14</strong>. (14-14). Previous: T-4th. Brandon Lambert. 7

Previous: 4th. Eric Szczepinski. 8. team. 32. The tough, physical Arizona defense provides to be to much of a challenge for the struggling Browns offense.Veteran quarterback Carson Palmer is equipped with weapons and will be a hard test for the Browns defense to overcome. The Browns will hang tough until the end, but the more talented team will pull away with the victory. <strong>Cardinals 28, Browns 17</strong>. (11-17)