NFL Week Four Betting: Time for Anderson to stand up and show his class

NFL / Andy Richmond / 26 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

The Browns need Pro Bowl QB to hit form - and fast. Andy Richmond previews Cleveland's game against Cincinnati and all the other Sky-televised fixtures this weekend.

Predictability is never a word that you can use with the NFL and that was never better borne out than the Dolphins (1-15) last season overcoming the Patriots last Sunday in Foxboro' (38-13). This is the Patriots team that came within a matter of minutes last season of emulating the Dolphins' perfect season but without Tom Brady at the helm are looking a shadow of their former selves.

That game highlighted all that was good about the NFL and contrasted starkly against the turgid predictability of the Premiership. Continuing with that theme there is nothing predictable about this week's live games either.

CLEVELAND BROWNS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS

0-3 would not have been a start that either the Browns or the Bengals, who match up at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday, wanted. Both teams have had their problems on offence this year - they are ranked 30th and 32nd in the NFL, the Browns having scored just 2 TDs all year. As a consequence Pro Bowl QB Derek Anderson has struggled all season and is under pressure from back up Brady Quinn for the starting role. But consider the opponents the Browns have faced in their first three games: the Cowboys have a very good secondary, while the Steelers and Ravens stuff the run and have exotic blitzes on top of exotic blitzes - Anderson must find his mark this weekend or he could be watching a lot of Brady Quinn from the sidelines.

The Bengals will take a lot of positives from taking the defending Superbowl champions the NY Giants all the way in week three. Leading 20-16 into the 4th quarter, they only finally lost in over-time and managed at last to generate some decent offensive numbers against the much vaunted Giants defense particularly that fearsome pass rush. Despite allowing six QB sacks, they managed 347 offensive yards, just 22 less than their first two games combined. If Bengals QB Carson Palmer gets protection from his offensive line then wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J Houshmandzadeh (it's almost as difficult to write as to say) could have a very productive outing, T.J. (that's easier) being the more productive of the pair in recent outings.

Whilst the Browns have played some tough defences so have the Bengals. As well as playing the Ravens, they also have faced the Titans, the NFL's third-stingiest defence, in a windstorm. But their offense played rather well vs. the Giants, putting up 23 points.

These are two desperate, winless clubs who probably can't wait to see the other's defence after weeks of preparing for tougher competition. I'm hoping for a shoot- out here - it may not be in the class of the 51-45 Browns win about a year ago but it's more likely that the offenses will step up to the mark in this game.

RECOMMENATION - Back over 44.5 match points at [2.0]


WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ DALLAS COWBOYS

The NFC East certainly has legitimate claims to being the strongest and toughest division in the NFL - all four teams have a winning record at the moment. While the Redskins have been resurgent in the last two weeks, the Cowboys have been dominant, with all facets of the team stepping up to the mark on various occasions, the best balanced of their three victories coming at Lambeau Field last week.

The Cowboys have dominated the Redskins at Texas Stadium in recent years and I expect that trend to continue on Sunday with the Cowboys' power on the ground the key to this game - Marion Barber has led the line with 285 yards and 4 TDs so far this season. The Redskins may have one of the league's best pass defenses but they're vulnerable on the ground and with rookie Felix Jones to provide a one-two punch for the Cowboys expect to see the Dallas grind the 'Skins down once again.

With the Redskins missing six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor on Sunday I can see the Cowboys overpowering the Redskins to continue their dominant record at Texas Stadium.

RECOMMENDATIONS - Back Dallas over 28.5 match points at [1.95] & Felix Jones to score a TD at [2.2].


PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ CHICAGO BEARS

This game revolves around the health and fitness of Eagles QB Donovan McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook - if those two show up for the Eagles then the Bears are going to be in for a tough contest. McNabb has looked in excellent shape this year, showing his mobility and confidence of old.

The Eagles' defense is in stifling form at the moment, not only against the run but also demonstrating ability to harry and hassle any QB in the NFL, and in Kyle Orton (the Bears QB) they don't face a major threat this week. This one looks destined to put the Eagles at 3-1 for the season and keep pace in the very tough NFC East.

RECOMMENDATIONS - Back under 40.5 match points at [1.96] & Back under 190.5 Kyle Orton Pass Yards at [1.78].