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Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles NFL Picks & Betting Odds

Written by Jimmy Boyd

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off of their biggest win of the season, a 20-14 victory over division leader New York, while the Cleveland Browns were dealt another lopsided defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately for Browns fans, it could get worse. Odds makers have Cleveland getting blown out again this week with the Browns as 14-point underdogs with the total set at 38.5.

One year after a timely 10-win season saved his job, Browns head man Romeo Crennel could be in danger of losing his job again while Eagles head coach Andy Reid is making a case for keeping his. Reid’s team has not has a good experience with team’s from Ohio this season. They tied the lowly Bengals 13-13 in Cincinnati one month ago. However, NFL odds makers do not anticipate the Bengals getting in the way of Philly’s playoff push.

Strangely enough, this game matches the only two teams in the NFL that have been able to bear the defending Super Bowl champions Giants this season. The 4-9 Browns were able to upset the G-Men on Monday Night football and now they will try to upset the latest team to beat the big apple boys.

Following a terrible 13-13 sister-kissing session in mid-November with the Bengals, many fans and analysts alike wrote off Philly’s playoff hopes. Much of the scrutiny surrounding that game fell on the shoulders of QB Donovan McNabb, who was widely criticized for admitting that he did not know games could end in a tie. Andy Reid caught his fair share of the blame as well and was sitting squarely on the hot seat before knocking off the only two NFC teams which has clinched their divisions in the past two weeks. But there is still plenty of work to be done as his team trails Atlanta and Dallas for the NFC’s final wild-card spot. The Eagles can leap frog both of those teams if they lose and the Eagles win this week. Both the Falcons and the Cowboys will be going up against teams with better records so it is a strong possibility.

The Eagles are facing a Cleveland team which has failed to score a touchdown during its three-game losing streak. History figures to get Cleveland into the end zone this week however, as the Browns have never gone four consecutive games without getting into the end zone and no team has done it since 2000.

Philly’s quick turn around can be credited to a better performance by Brain Westbrook and the running game. Westbrook appears to be back at full strength following ankle and rib injuries. Westbrook tied a season high with 22 carries for 110 yards in a 48-20 Thanksgiving win over Arizona before rushing a career-high 33 times for 131 yards against the Giants. Westbrook has totaled six touchdowns over the past two weeks while Philadelphia has run for 329 yards on 81 attempts. Facing a Cleveland run defense which ranks 28th in the NFL with 148.5 yards per game, expect the Eagles to dial Westbrook’s number early and often. If you think Philly can cover the hefty 14-point spread, bet the Eagles at -14 at BetUS.

Cleveland is way out of the playoff picture at this point and it appears that Crennel may be out of a job. Rumors are flying that he will not return after Cleveland has already clinched its third losing season in his four at the helm. The Browns offense was its strong point a season ago, but it has been horrendous of late. Cleveland is averaging just seven points and 203.7 yards over its last three contests. I don’t see how Crennel can be to blame for the injuries of both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson. Cleveland will give third-stringer Ken Dorsey his second straight start Monday after he posted a dismal 49.6 quarterback rating. Dorsey was 22 of 43 for 150 yards with an interception, and the running game provided no help with a season low 35 yards.

It could be a good omen for Cleveland playing on Monday Night Football as half of its wins have come under the Monday night lights this season. They defeated the NY Giants 35-14 in Week 6 and the Buffalo Bills 28-27 on November 17th. If you think Cleveland can continue its strong play on Monday Nights, bet the Browns at +14 at BetUS.

Jimmy Boyd has been red hot with his Monday Night Football NFL betting, cashing in his 5* MNF Game of the Year on the Texans two weeks ago and his 5* NFC South Game of the Year on the Panthers last week. Make sure you consult Jimmy’s NFL picks before laying down on this one.

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