This week, the Cleveland Browns (7-4) head to Arizona this week to take on the Cardinals (5-6). Coming off a strong win at home, the Browns look to narrow the AFC North lead, held by the Steelers. Arizona is coming off a tough overtime loss to a bad 49er team. Despite their record, last weeks loss, and the team's injury problems, home field advantage gave them 1 point the last time I checked.
That must be one hell of a field. I'm not saying that the Browns are going to beat the Cards like rented mules, but that's a lot to overcome.
That being said, let's take a look at the matchups:
| Quarterback: |
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Kurt Warner may have found the fountain of youth last week, but he's a little banged up. Derek Anderson will tear apart Arizona's ailing secondary. Fantasy owners take note |
| Running Backs: |
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Jamal Lewis is starting to show the style of running that Browns signed him for, and Edge can still do it when he needs to. Both have good fullbacks in front in Vickers and Smith (former Brown) respectively |
| Receivers: |
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You'll be hard pressed to find a better trio than Edwards, Winslow and Jurevicius. Edwards is "Questionable", but Winslow will probably pick up the slack. The Cards have weapons, but they don't match up here. Fitzgerald isn't 100% either |
| O-Line: |
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I love seeing a Browns icon here. Arizona's line has had its problems in the past few weeks, and the Browns' keeps getting better every week |
| D-Line: |
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This one's pretty close. The Cards aren't really spectacular on the line, but they've shown some consistency at times. The Browns' line has struggled until recently, notably when Shaun Smith went to his original position at the nose. |
| Linbackers: |
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If Wimbley and Peek come with it, Warner's going to be seeing a lot of sky today. |
| Secondary: |
| Arizona put two starters on IR this week, and backup safety Francisco is not expected to play. Unless they have a Brandon McDonald of their own, DA's going to have a field day |
| Special Teams: |
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Can someone please tell me how Wes Welker is leading the Pro Bowl voting? Cribbs should be a lock for Honolulu, and the Cardinals are very vulnerable on their coverage units |
While the matchups may look a bit lopsided, this game should be close unless the Browns' D plays like a legitimate playoff defense. And with the injuries the Cardinals have amassed in their secondary, the Browns should have no excuse for not putting plenty of points on the board to keep them comfortable, either.
Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius should both come up big today, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Derek Anderson pushing down field to Tim Carter.
Overall, I think the offense will come out firing on all cylinders and put about 21 points up at the half. The defense will have a similar week to last week with a slower start, but a solid showing in the second half. Pressuring Kurt Warner will be a key today, and the D-Line needs to get some kind of penetration to keep Edge from reaching the second level.
Prediction:
Browns-36 Cardinals-17