Preseason NFL Pick - Cleveland @ Buffalo - 8-26-06 Cleveland (1-1 SU and ATS) at Buffalo (0-2, 1-1 ATS)
The Bills look to get into the preseason win column when they host the Browns at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Cleveland scored 10 fourth-quarter points to beat Detroit 20-16 last week, covering as 2½-point favorites. Starting QB Charlie Frye went 8 of 11 for 41 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while third-stringer Derek Anderson led the fourth-quarter surge, completing 7 of 9 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Look for the Browns to throw the ball down the field more tonight as Frye said there has been an emphasis on the deep ball all week at practice. Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said Frye and the rest of the starters will play into the third quarter tonight. He also said that Anderson, not backup Ken Dorsey, will replace Frye, and that Anderson might finish the game.
The Bills piled up the offensive numbers last week, but fell to the Bengals 44-31 as 3½-point home favorites. Apparent starter J.P. Losman went 7 of 11 for 134 yards with a TD and an INT in the slugfest. Starting tailback Willis McGahee looked in mid-season form, rushing nine times for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Kelly Holcomb, Buffalo’s backup QB, won’t see much time in this game, as coach Dick Jauron wants to give third-teamer Craig Nall more action. Meanwhile, the Bills’ defensive could be bolstered by the return of linebacker Takeo Spikes, who hasn’t seen the field since tearing his Achilles’ tendon in Week 3 last season. However, recovering WR Peerless Price may sit out for the third straight week.
Cleveland is 8-1 ATS in its last nine exhibition games and has stayed under the total in seven of those nine.
Buffalo is 0-4 SU and ATS in recent preseason action and has stayed under the total in five of its last six summer contests. ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND and UNDER |