The Browns are beat up at this point in the season with some key injuries on both sides of the ball, including the critical absence of Colt McCoy. Jake Delhomme will get the start for the Browns, with Mangini admitting his knowledge of his former team being a factor in the decision. However, this type of knowledge works both ways... the Panthers know Delhomme better than the Browns do (that's why they let him go this year). Luckily for the Browns, Carolina is the worst team in the league right now. Offensively, they are horrible, with key injuries on the O-line and a rookie QB in Jimmy Clausen. The Panthers are a little better on the defensive side of the ball, as you'd expect from a John Fox team. Statistically, they're much better against the pass than the run. Delhomme and his tendencies to gamble and freak out under pressure plays into Carolina's hands (OK, that plays into EVERY team's hands). So I would look for a ridiculous load for Hillis this week.
The Browns are big favorites this week, but I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. Fox is a good coach and I expect his team to play hard and throw lots of pressure at Delhomme. I suspect a few Browns turnovers may keep this one close into the second half, although the Browns should fluster the easily-flustered Clausen into a few picks of his own. PREDICTION: Browns 23 Panthers 13.
I say right on Mark Raven.
ReplyDeleteA. Hillis all day long.
B. Stout defense for the Browns.
C. Del"hommie" hits on a few big passes.
D. Mark, keep blogging. Bring some of your old "The Ravens Edge" writings out of retirement.