Dawg Pound Daily staff picks: Week 9
Nov 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Brian Hartline (83) celebrates after scoring with Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) and Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Week 9 rolls in and the Dawg Pound Daily staff is back with their weekly NFL picks. The staff came out of Week 8 boasting an overall record of 67-43, while seven of our eight writers also correctly picked the Arizona Cardinals over the Cleveland Browns.
Week 9 sees the 2-6 Browns traveling to Cincinnati for an inter-state clash of division rivals with the Bengals. Our writers serve up their bold prediction for tonight’s primetime matchup along with picking the other big games of the week.
Without further ado we give you the DPD picks of the week!
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We’ve reached the point of the season where all hope is lost. We’re now left watching the Browns playing to see “what they have” for next year while debating mock drafts in preparation for the club missing on another first-round quarterback. Johnny Manziel gets the start tonight, which will excite the NFL Network announcers almost as much as it will the Cincinnati defense. While Manziel will be entertaining, we’ve already had it with people making excuses for why he will struggle – and the game hasn’t even started. Bengals 28, Browns 14. (27-15). Previous: t-3th. Thomas Moore. 1. team. 56
(25-17). Previous: 2nd. Giovanni Castelli. t-2. team. 53. Well, my mindless Browns pick last week started off strong in the first half against the Cardinals, only to crash and burn in the second half. The Browns were shutout 24-0 in the second half en route to a 34-20 loss. As Bill Belichick once uttered, “On to Cincinnati.” The Bengals host the Browns in a Thursday night rematch of last season, when the Browns marched down to Cincinnati and embarrassed the Bengals 24-3. The Bengals haven’t forgotten. Not to mention, Johnny Manziel gets the start for the injured Josh McCown, and the last time Manziel faced the Bengals was shellacked 30-0. All signs point to take the Bengals in this one, coupled with the Browns having let me down three consecutive weeks. But the Bengals have to lose sometime, right? Manziel flashes in the limelight and Browns running game goes for 150 plus. Browns 20, Bengals 16
Previous: 1st. Murray Alexander. t-2. team. 56. With Johnny Manziel starting, I don’t know what to expect from the Browns’ offense. Nevertheless, I don’t think they’re in this game.The Bengals are stronger on both sides of the ball. Divisional games can get weird, but these two teams are in two very different places right now. Bengals 28, Browns 10. (25-17)
56. The Browns are awful, period. End of story. I know starting Josh McCown through this point was the right decision. It’s not anymore. He’s completely beat up, and the Browns are broken. If McCown has been named starter, it will be a repeat of last season’s second Cincinnati game where the Browns were just dominated. Johnny Manziel is a different player than he was last year. Even with Manziel starting the Browns lose, although he team Manziel will put on the better show. This may be Mike Pettine’s swan song if the Browns get blown out yet again. Bengals 23, Browns 20. (24-18). Previous: 7th. Brandon Lambert. t-4. team
Steven Kubitza. t-4. team. 56. Must I explain? After nearly trading one of the greatest players in franchise history, the Browns take on the undefeated Bengals, and will be lead by a Mr. Manziel. The second half of <span class=. (24-18). Previous: t-3th
team. 56. It’s really disappointing that the Browns didn’t figure out Josh McCown couldn’t breathe last Sunday when the quarterback was doubled over, because either Johnny Manziel or even Austin Davis (who wasn’t even dressed) might have pulled a comeback and this Bengals game might have meant something. For the Browns to stay competitive in this one we have to pray the “primetime” Andy Dalton (he of the sub-zero QB rating from last year’s <span class=. (23-19). Previous: t-3th. Roger Cohen. t-6
Without defensive backs Joe Haden and Donte Whitner, the Browns are in for a tough one against Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Cincinnati also has the two-headed monster rushing game as Cleveland’s run defense has been an issue all year as well. Despite this, Browns hang around. Although Mike Pettine might be coaching this game for his job, and better hope Dalton struggles in primetime again. Bengals beat the Browns. Bengals 27, Browns 17. (23-19). Previous: t-3th. Matthew Stevenson. t-6. team. 56
(20-22). Previous: 8th. Eric Szczepinski. 8. team. 53. Get ready for Johnny Manziel. In a primetime game the Browns have no business winning, Manziel will lead the Browns to victory against their undefeated in-state rival. Manziel provides the team with a spark and all hell that froze over Berea this week will be put on hold with a huge <span class=