Browns Favored Over Steelers!

This is awesome and scary for long-time Browns fans.  You know why.  In the past, every single time we had reason for optimism, well...

But I'm sticking to my logical view.  New coaches, systems, players.  What happened before this season doesn't matter...unless, of course, we ARE cursed...

This betting line reflects the national perception of the Browns, and not "Vegas" or the oddsmakers.

It is a good game to FIX in favor of the Steelers, which does make me nervous.

I read another ignorant analysis of this game on the Bleacher Report.

I could accept giving the Steelers the edge at qb, wr, and maybe even te, since Miller is kicking butt and Cameron is not.  But this clown gives the Steelers the edge at rb based on Bell's total yards, while ignoring the combined yards of the Browns THREE backs.

He gives the Steelers front seven the edges "by a wide margin". To this guy, all that matters is the surface.

A real analyst includes all relevant factors: one is age.  The Brown's front seven has a bunch of players in their first three years, meaning they are improving.  The Steelers are older, and declining.  They've wheeled gramps Harrison out of the retirement home!

The Steelers system is old and established. The Browns' is new, and the players to-date have been learning it.  The Steelers are static, and the Browns are ascending.

It's a wash, maybe, between the units with talent, age, and system newness considered, but fools overstate things.  By a wide margin?  Pure idiocy.

Even the tight end thing: This guy is apparently a doctor, as he's determined that the shoulder condition is chronic due to Cameron's lack of production last week.  And who is Pitt's second tight end?  I won't even ask who's third.

You want "by a wide margin"?  I give you the Browns' offensive line.  Big Ben got sacked nine times in the last two games.

The guys on NFL Radio have, as far as I've heard, universally picked the Steelers.  I understand that.  The defense has been absolutely horrific more often than not.  At least Pat Kirwan only mentioned that, and not the Steelers way -gag-.

I personally waver.  I believe the Browns will win, and have good logical reasons for it.  The biggest single reason is talent.  When you get past the religious zealotry and hype, the Browns are the more talented team.

...But I can't count on a head extraction by the defense in one week.  This has not been a bend-but-dont break defense.  It has been the bend over defense.

That's the thing: They should be crushing people!

The whole Phil Taylor thing is being overblown.  He wasn't having a good year, and people are just stuck on his name.  Kitchen, Hughes, and A. Bryant should combine to fill that gap.  It won't even matter.

Kitchen and Hughes are good against the run, and Bryant can penetrate and disrupt.  Kitchen might even have sneaked up and become a top-notch true nose tackle.

I hope Phil comes back healthy and regains his mojo, but as-is, no biggie.

Oh, all right: The defense has intermittently been dominant, and is overdue to play well for a whole game.  The Steelers don't have the people to stop Cameron.  Hoyer thrives on pressure, and this time will feel it from the first snap on.

He can be the savior of his hometown team.  He can become great, in this one game.

Browns 97, Steelers minus 4.